Samuel John "Lamorna" Birch Biography

Samuel John "Lamorna" Birch, RA, RWS (1869-1955) was an English artist in oils and watercolours. At the suggestion of fellow artist Stanhope Forbes, Birch adopted the soubriquet "Lamorna" to distinguish himself from Lionel Birch, an artist who was also working in the area at that time.

Lamorna Birch was born in Egremont, Cheshire, England. He was self-taught as an artist, except for a brief period of study at the Académie Colarossi in Paris during 1895.

Birch settled in Lamorna, Cornwall in 1892, initially lodging at nearby Boleigh Farm. Many of his most famous pictures date from this time and the beautiful Lamorna Cove is usually their subject matter. He was attracted to Cornwall by the Newlyn group of artists but he ended up starting a second group based around his adopted home of Lamorna. He married Houghton (Mouse) Emily Vivian, the daughter of a mining agent from Camborne and they lived at Flagstaff Cottage, Lamorna.

In 1936, Birch embarked on an extensive painting and lecture tour in New Zealand. He was accompanied on his visit by fellow artists Kathleen Airini Vane and Russell Clark. Birch would paint many of the scenic areas of Northland together with Vane and embark on skiing expeditions with Clark. At the end of his visit, Vane would present several works by Birch to the Christchurch Art Gallery, which remain in its collection.

Greta Valentine met Birch when she was 28 and on holiday with her parents in Cornwall. Lamorna was married but he was intrigued by Greta. He would write her poetry and create paintings for her. Symbolism within the paintings expressed his love for her.