An idealised mood of humility and gratitude appealed to picture-buying landowners of the 18th Century when the legislation left the poor more dependent on the generosity of employers and charities.

The work is a time travelled image of Gainsborough’s character into a present day imaginary setting; A cinematic approach with direct references to diCorcia’s vision of “people as puppets” and Lynch’s dystopian suburban fantasies as portrayed by Gregory Crewdson.

An unresolved story about living on the edge and not by choice.