This charming, fantastical picture was inspired by Charles Ebbets' iconic photos of New York construction workers known as 'roughnecks' or 'skywalkers'. It may have been commissioned by the steel joist manufacturer for advertising purposes. Born in Newry, Ireland, Cuningham studied at Dublin Metropolitan School of Art and at the Slade in London. He lived in Kensington and became a member of the London Sketch Club. Although he exhibited at the RA and Paris Salon his income was mainly from commercial art, which explains why we so rarely see his work today. He designed posters for the Ford Motor Company, copies of which are held by The Victoria & Albert Museum.