Paard krijgt hoefijzers in een smederij Possibly 1839 - 1883

Cornelis Albertus Johannes Schermer made this etching of a horse being shod in a smithy. Made in the Netherlands, the image highlights the symbiotic relationship between animals and industry. During the 19th century, horses were critical to agriculture and transport. This image subtly acknowledges the skilled labor required to maintain this infrastructure; here, the blacksmith is a tradesman responsible for the horse's welfare. Look closely, and you’ll notice that the image draws on a well-established artistic tradition of depicting animals in service to humans, reminiscent of earlier pastoral scenes, but adapted to an increasingly industrial context. By observing these kinds of images, and considering them in the context of their time, we might better understand the social, cultural and economic history of 19th century Netherlands. Old trade directories and census records, for example, might allow us to learn more about the work carried out by this tradesman.