Courting Couple on a Fish Quay, Newlyn

This is a significant work from Tayler's early career. Tayler was influenced by the artist Frank Bramley and this work bears a close resemblance to Bramley's work 'Eyes and no Eyes'.  Although the subjects differ, both the setting and light are very similar.  The work is likely to date to 1887 or 88. We see a young Newlyn couple. He wears leather sea boots and leans on railings hung with drying mackerel or pilchard nets. A basket of flat fish and mackerel is strewn across the quay. Perhaps the young lady is being distracted by her handsome beau?