Ruby Loftus Screwing a Breech-ring

Ruby Loftus Screwing a Breech-ring is a 1943 painting by the British artist Laura Knight.

Ruby Loftus Screwing a Breech-ring

Artist	Laura Knight
Year	1943
Dimensions	86 cm × 100 cm (34 in × 40 in)
Location	The Imperial War Museum Collection

It shows a young woman, Ruby Loftus, working at an industrial lathe. She is cutting a piece for an Ack-Ack (anti-aircraft) gun.

The painting was commissioned as part of the British war effort in the Second World War.

Loftus was a 21-year-old woman. She had become an expert in the production of breech-rings in seven months. It usually took several years.

The painting was commissioned to promote women's work in factories. Women dominate the picture, and only one man can be seen in the background.

When shown at the 1943 Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, the painting was extremely popular, and was voted the picture of the exhibition. The image was reproduced in a large-scale poster version by the WAAC (Women's Army Auxiliary Corps) for display in factories across the country.

Ruby Loftus Screwing A Breech-ring Media

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  A Bofors 40 mm anti-aircraft gun; the breech is housed at the right-hand side of the weapon

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  Detail showing Loftus's face focusing on her work

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  Detail of the background, showing one man among the working women; the patriotic colours of red, white and blue are repeated throughout

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  Loftus meets Ernest Bevin, the Ministry of Labour, at ROF Newport, c. 1943

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  Dame Laura Knight, artist, circa 1910