William Banks Fortescue: A Cornish Impressionist’s Gentle Realism Born in Birmingham, England, in 1850, William Banks Fortescue's artistic journey began far from the rugged coastlines of Cornwall, where he would ultimately find both inspiration and a lasting home. Initially trained as an engineer of design, Fortescue’s innate artistic sensibilities led him to abandon his technical pursuits for the vibrant world of painting in the late 1870s. This shift wasn't merely a career change; it represented a profound embrace of observation and a desire to capture the fleeting beauty of everyday life…