Cammell Laird Steel Works, Sheffield

Six oil paintings by Edward F Skinner, 5 on board, one on canvas on board, each 31x47cm., all signed E.F. Skinner, showing views in the Cammell Laird Steel Works, Sheffield, 1917-1918. For details please see 1980-1397 /1 - /6

Edward Skinner was commissioned to paint a series of 12 views of the Cammell Laird Steelworks in Sheffield in 1917 by the company's advertising and publicity manager. Reproduced as postcards, they were sold in support of the Red Cross. These paintings of the processes behind the manufacture of armaments for World War I show both standard processes and wartime changes such as the increased employment of women. Wartime industrial effort had a profound effect not only on people's experience, but also on the practice and organisation of industry.