Hedley modelled Geordie in this picture on Snowdon Pyle, a coal hewer from North Elswick Colliery.

The baby was his daughter Annie. Hedley’s picture illustrates a scene from a song by Joe Wilson (1841-1875), North-East writer and entertainer:

‘It’s startin’ te cry agyen,
Aw see tuts throo its gum.

Naw bonny bit pet, dinner fret,
Aw wish yor mutter wad cum”

Provenance: On loan from a private collection

Object description
Type: Easel painting
Location: Laing Art Gallery, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Tyne & Wear
Material: Oil on canvas
Artist: Ralph Hedley (1848-1913)
Date: 1881

Image Details
Date: 26 August 2023
Camera body: iPhone Xs
Lens: Wide Camera 26mm ƒ/1.8
Focal Length: 26mm
Aperture: ƒ/1.8
Shutter Speed: 1/25s
ISO: 500
Licensing: Image of a North East Museums asset. This image cannot be licensed.