The Ploughman and His Horse 1854

“The Ploughman and His Horse” is an etching by Charles Meryon from 1854. It is a small work, measuring just 131 × 87 mm, but it is a powerful depiction of a man and his animal working together. The image shows a scene of labor, but it is not without its beauty. Meryon’s work is often characterized by its atmospheric quality and its use of light and shadow. The work is an example of etching, which was a popular printmaking technique in the 19th century, and is currently housed at the Art Institute of Chicago.