The Smithy at Work captures a moment of quiet industry from Sheffield’s early days, painted directly onto the weathered timber of an old workshop. At its centre, blacksmith J.T. King is shown mid-task, calmly shoeing a horse inside his smithy - an image of skill, patience and physical labour that once shaped daily life in the town.

The scene is rich with period detail: glowing embers, hanging tools, a heavy wagon wheel and a fellow worker resting nearby, watching the rhythm of the work unfold. Look closely and you’ll spot small, playful details woven into the realism, including animals subtly integrated into the scene and a loyal dog padding along the wall, blurring the boundary between the painted world and the real street.

Painted in 1987, the mural honours craftsmanship, self-reliance and community contribution, celebrating not just a trade, but the character of a man who became a respected local leader. Framed by real windows, ladders and outdoor tables, the artwork seamlessly merges past and present, inviting viewers to step back into a time when the ring of hammer on iron was part of everyday life in Sheffield.