The Sail Loft (1908) by Ralph Hedley (1848-1913) Laing Art Gallery, Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Oil on canvas
Given by Miss Wilson, 1940
These men are sailmakers. They are sewing bolt ropes to the edges of sails, to take the strain at fixing points. Hedley has focused on showing working men in their actual workplace. He was also interested in recording the effects of light, including the bold patterns on the face of the man nearest the viewer. Both themes were fashionable in art of the time. Hedley painted the picture using a softer, more atmospheric approach than his earlier style.
