CHARLIE MITCHELL was a Falmouth lad who first appeared at age 16 in a group painting, Ruby Gold And Malachite (1901) and he was the seated youth in Morning Splendour, a full 20 years later. Charlie became an indespensable friend to the artist. Tuke relied on him to look after his boats, and he even took to rowing the ageing man when requested. He is among the few models to allow himself to be painted full frontal, the first in Boy On A Beach (1902). A colour photo of Charlie and Henry from around 1905 shows Charlie had no tan lines and his torso was well-shaped with an elegant long back. Tuke often painted his body as a double on another boy’s face. For example, in The Sun Bathers (1925-1926), Mitchell’s body was used for both youths. In his will, Tuke left some of his fortune (to the tune of over $100,000 in today’s money) to his friend and muse.
A nude Charlie Mitchell and the artist.