This large oil is a magnificent depiction of St Ives at low tide. Sunlight streams through gaps in the clouds and the scene glows with a warm, silver light. Men haul their boats up the beach, laden with catch from early morning trawling, and seagulls circle in the distance. Painted during the war, The Hive, Morning, St Ives shows Birch’s passion of portraying his homeland, a place that he admired and lovingly depicted for over 70 years. Predominantly a self-taught artist, Birch was introduced to plein air painting by Stanhope Forbes, and whilst others in the art establishment were suspicious of this foreign approach, Birch embraced it, stating ‘It was our creed that beautiful things should be painted on the spot’ (Austin Wormleighton, A Painter Laureate: Lamorna Birch and his Circle, p. 22). He even enjoyed the challenges of painting outdoors; mastering how to depict changing light, coping with sudden weather changes especially high-winds and contending with biting insects in the summer months. Birch’s paintings are instantly recognizable for their expert handling of colour, light, and superb treatment of water and the present work is no exception.