The Smith 1520 - 1525

"The Smith" is an engraving by Dutch artist Dirck Vellert, created between 1520 and 1525. This detailed artwork depicts a blacksmith kneeling in profile, wielding a hammer with a determined expression. The image's realism and attention to detail are characteristic of Vellert's work, which often focused on everyday life and the labor of common people. The presence of a sheep in the background, along with tools scattered on the ground, further underscores the scene's grounded and earthly tone. "The Smith" is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection in New York, and its small size, measuring just 6.2 by 4.2 centimeters, allows for a close and intimate encounter with the artist's intricate style.