Lee Miller [with figurehead], Lambe Creek, Cornwall, England 1937 by Roland Penrose
Roland Penrose © Lee Miller Archives, England 2025. All rights reserved. leemiller.co.uk
In the summer of 1937 a group of surrealist poets, writers and painters gathered at a house on the banks of a secluded creek near Truro in Cornwall. It was a ‘surrealist invasion’ according to Roland Penrose, who had instigated the month-long party, taking place at a house belonging to his brother Beakus.
The guest list makes remarkable reading: Leonora Carrington, Max Ernst, Man Ray, Ady Fidelin, Eileen Agar, Joseph Bard, Paul and Nusch Éluard. Visitors included Henry Moore and his wife; Édourd Mesens, Belgian surrealist poet and dealer; and Joseph Bard, writer. Roland had also invited the American photographer and model Lee Miller, who he had just met at a party in Paris, and who he had fallen in love with.
By 1937 Lee Miller had already lived several very different lives. Growing up in middle class, suburban Poughkeepsie was a far cry from the very glamorous life she enjoyed as a top fashion model in 1920’s New York. But she tired of New York and swapped it for Paris. There she collaborated with and was also the lover of Man Ray, stepping behind the camera to become one of the most in-demand photographers of the 1930s. She set up a successful photography studio in New York, then astonished her friends and family by abandoning her burgeoning career in order to marry an Egyptian businessman Aziz Eloui Bey, and move with him to Egypt. She spent a rather indolent three years amongst the privileged ex-pat community of Cairo, but grew restless. It was whilst escaping her life in Egypt in 1937 that Lee travelled to Paris to visit friends, and found herself invited to a surrealist’s fancy dress ball. There, at the age of 30, she met the British surrealist Roland Penrose, the man she would spend the rest of her life with. Her life as one of the most significant photographers of the 20th century had yet to happen.
An illustrated Vogue cover, 1927, depicting Lee Miller
On the day she met Roland, Lee had arrived in Paris from Cairo that very morning and had no time to devise a costume. She opted for a blue evening gown, marking her out as the only attendee in 'normal' dress. The artist Max Ernst had dyed his hair bright blue, he was accompanied by Roland, who had dyed his hair green and painted his right hand blue. Roland later recalled the 'abysmal contrast between her elegance and my own slum-like horror.'
Roland was entranced by Lee. He invited her to join him and his friends in Cornwall in the following weeks.
The infamous house party that followed, at Lambe Creek, became known as the ‘Surrealists in Cornwall’ and has inspired subsequent exhibitions and books.
Eileen Agar described it as ‘a delightful surrealist house party, with Roland taking the lead, ready to turn the slightest encounter into an orgy. I remember going off to watch Lee taking a bubble-bath, but there was not quite enough room in the tub for all of us…’
Roland Penrose, Lambe Creek, Cornwall, England 1937 by Lee Miller
© Lee Miller Archives, England 2025. All rights reserved. leemiller.co.uk
During these very enjoyable and creative weeks, Roland acquired a ship’s figurehead in Falmouth which became known as the Lambe Creek Mermaid. We are fortunate that the photographs Lee Miller took during that idyllic summer were amongst the thousands of negatives discovered by her son Anthony Penrose after Lee’s death in 1977. There are several of Lee with the mermaid and of Roland painting their rather unusual addition to the party.
When the holiday was over, the mermaid was given to Roland’s brother Beakus, a gift to the house and a thank you for their stay. The Penrose family have remained custodians of her for the last 88 years, but now this beautiful lady is seeking a new home, and we are thrilled to be offering her in our April 10th and 11th Cornish Art Sale.
She is an impressive beauty and still bears Roland’s original paintwork, having never been retouched since 1937, when Roland undoubtedly painted her to resemble his new love Lee Miller.
Although for many years she was described as a ship’s figurehead, she was almost certainly carved for a carousel or an adornment for a fairground attraction. Regardless of her origin, she is without doubt a most unique creature, not just a physical souvenir but also a witness to the Surrealists in Cornwall, a gathering, and a meeting of the minds of some of the most remarkable cultural figures of the twentieth century.
The Mermaid today, still bearing her original paintwork
The Lambe Creek Mermaid will be sold in our Cornish Art, Fine Art & Studio Pottery Sale, taking place on April 10th & 11th at our Penzance Saleroom.
Estimate £20,000-25,000
Viewing days will be Saturday 5th April, 9am to 1pm, and Monday 7th, Tuesday 8th, and Wednesday 9th April 2025, 9am to 5pm.
Links to learn more about the ‘Surrealists in Cornwall’ and Lee Miller:
Lee Miller’s life, legacy and her photographic archive:
Kate Winslet’s remarkable depiction of Lee Miller in ‘LEE’
View the Auction Catalogue & register to bid online
More info & media enquiries: mimi@davidlay.co.uk
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