Smid bij een vuur 1895

"Smid bij een vuur" (Blacksmith by a Fire) is an etching created in 1895 by Pieter de Josselin de Jong, a Dutch artist known for his realistic portrayals of working-class life. The artwork, now housed at the Rijksmuseum, depicts a blacksmith in a darkened workshop, illuminated by the glow of his forge. The composition is dominated by the figure of the blacksmith, captured in a moment of intense concentration as he works. The use of light and shadow creates a dramatic effect, highlighting the raw power and physicality of the blacksmith's labor. De Josselin de Jong's attention to detail and the expressive use of line make this etching a compelling representation of a bygone era of craft and manual labor.