A blacksmith in his foundry

A photograph of a blacksmith in his foundry, taken by Frank Meadow Sutcliffe (1853-1941) in about 1905.

The smith stands proudly next to his anvil in front of the large forge. Around the walls there are a large number of forging tools. A blacksmith was invaluable to a community that relied on tools, repairs and equipment such as an agricultural or fishing area.

Frank Meadow Sutcliffe is best known for his naturalistic and spontaneous style of photography, especially his portrayals of Whitby's fishing community. He was a founder member of the Linked Ring Brotherhood and was made an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society in 1941.