Darning Day - The Red Maids of Bristol

Artist Eyre Crowe (London, England, 1824 - 1910)

Date1876

Mediumoil on canvas

ClassificationsPaintings And Drawings

DimensionsOverall: Height: 45.2 cm, Width: 112.6 cm
Frame: Height: 71.6 cm, Width: 139.5 cm

AcquisitionAlexander Macdonald Bequest, 1901.

CopyrightOut of copyright - CC0

LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub

Object numberABDAG003361

Keywords

About MeEyre Crowe, an English artist who grew up in France, at first focussed on historical painting but from the 1870s became influenced by French Realism and turned to 'modern day' genre scenes of everyday life.

The Red Maids' School in Bristol was founded in 1634, originally as a secure home for orphaned or destitute girls. Here, Crowe shows his interest in social realism, as the uniformed figures sit in the smoky sunlight before the wall of the school, some dozing, many gossiping and others diligently darning the blue stockings.

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Eyre's study casts an interesting light on the origins of one of the oldest girls' schools in Britain, Redmaids' High School, Bristol, which began as a charitable foundation for poor or destitute girls in 1634.