Lead Processing at Leadhills. Smelting the Ore 1789

David Allan's "Lead Processing at Leadhills. Smelting the Ore," created in 1789, provides a glimpse into the industrial processes of the time. The painting depicts a scene within a smelting facility, likely in Leadhills, Scotland, where lead ore was processed. The work captures the intense heat and energy of the smelting process, with figures tending to the fiery furnaces. The detailed depiction of the workers and their tools offers a snapshot of 18th-century industrial life. Allan, a Scottish artist, was known for his genre scenes depicting everyday life and activities. "Lead Processing at Leadhills" stands as a testament to his ability to capture the realities of work and industry in his era.