Full description

Oil on canvas.
Artist: John Hodgson Campbell
Displayed on the First Floor Landing.

The painting by John Hodgson Campbell (1855 – 1927) is a direct link to NEIMME and the “Mining Engineering and Industrial Exhibition“ of 1887 held on Newcastle Town Moor. NEIMME in proposing the exhibition were the prime movers in this, but like many other enterprises, other bodies and organisations, quickly became involved. Originally planned for 1886 it was decided to delay the event to coincide with Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee of 1887 so in some references to it you will find the word “Royal”.

It was purchased by NEIMME for circa £100. The fact that Campbell went down Red Heugh Colliery to observe the actual process of coal getting gives the painting its superb level of reality. Red Heugh Colliery, on the Gateshead side of the river, was opened in 1872 and closed on 28 May 1927. It employed 420 men and boys producing house and steam coal. There were two shafts 16′ and 10’ diameter respectively, both were 570 yards deep to the Brockwell Seam.