Carpenter of Hesdin 1916

James McBey created this watercolour titled 'Carpenter of Hesdin' in 1916. It depicts a scene of labour and industry, one that invites us to consider the social conditions of its creation. The composition emphasizes the carpenter's labour through the repetition of line and form. The stacks of wood, the planks on the floor, and the carpenter's focused stance create a sense of rhythmic activity. Hesdin, in northern France, saw intense military activity during the First World War, and this work hints at the war effort. By creating this image, was McBey commenting on the social structures of his time? The role of the historian is to uncover the layers of meaning embedded within this artwork. By researching the socio-political context of Hesdin in 1916, we can better understand the complex relationship between art, labour, and war. The meaning of art is contingent on its social and institutional context.