Tinplate workers, with furnaceman mopping his brow

Ceri Richards' extensive body of paintings, works on paper and sculpture confront the experiences integral to human existence, often exploring the mythology of his native land and a variety of European artistic techniques. Tinplate workers, with Furnaceman mopping his brow is a strong and emblematic example from his series of works depicting the tinplate workers at the Gowerton mill in Wales. The series was commissioned by the Ministry of Information to document the workers at the very mill where his father had laboured throughout Ceri’s life.

Richards worked on the series from a collection of in situ sketchbook studies, producing both informative and emotive works on paper. His colour palette was comprised of blacks, greys, purples and blues against tawny hues. The darker shades convey the lack of natural daylight in the mill, whilst the warmer organic tones reflect the sturdy brick walls of the mill and the practical, hard wearing clothing of the workers. As the central figure mops his brow, he is conveyed with sympathy and compassion.