PAINTINGS by one of the North-East’s most popular Victorian artists will go on display from next week.

The works of Ralph Hedley will be shown at Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens, in Sunderland, from Monday January 19 until Sunday March 1.

Hedley, who lived from 1848 to 1913, was a realist painter, woodcarver and illustrator, best known for his paintings portraying scenes of everyday life in the region.

He exhibited paintings in the North-East from 1878, becoming a member of the Royal Society of British Artists.

Between 1879 and 1904 he had more than fifty of his paintings displayed at the Royal Academy in London

John Kelly, Sunderland City Council’s Portfolio Holder for Public Health, Wellness and Culture said:” I would encourage anyone with an interest in Victorian art and lifestyle to come along to this fantastic exhibition.

“Hedley is best known for painting images of working class life here in the North- East.

“In addition he also painted other contemporary artists and took commissions for portraits.”

One of the commissions was to paint John Dickinson, head of a marine engineering firm John Dickinson and Sons of Palmers Hill Engine Works in Sunderland. Dickinson was so impressed with his work that he left 31 paintings to Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens in 1908.

This is still the largest single bequest of fine art the Museum has received.

Over 60 of Hedley’s oil paintings are held and displayed by galleries and museums across Tyne & Wear.

This exhibition brings together works from the Laing Art Gallery and Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens.

Many of Hedley’s works from the Tyne & Wear art collections can also be viewed online in the national BBC Your Paintings initiative at www.bbc.co.uk/art/yourpaintings .