Fred WILLIAMS
Australia 1927 – Australia 1982
England 1951-56

Coal delivery 1955
oil on board
unsigned
101.4 (h) x 62.1 (w) cm
Tate, London Presented by the artist's estate 2006
© estate of Fred Williams

During Williams’s time in London many of his works were inspired by scenes from everyday life; from performers to workers in the city. Coal delivery isone of his most impressive paintings in this genre. Here he conveyed the activity of the workers and with cool, sombre tones he captures the atmosphere of a London street scene. This painting is also an exploration of the formal qualities this scene allowed him to explore. Williams created a bold, carefully considered composition using the intriguing forms of the men’s hooded attire and their stance and actions to direct our vision.