An Army Smithy in the Marne Valley 1918

Lester George Hornby created this drypoint etching titled 'An Army Smithy in the Marne Valley' around 1918. Hornby, who served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Army during World War I, captures a scene that speaks to the weariness and the toils of war. The print depicts soldiers and horses taking respite in a rural setting while a farrier tends to one of the horses. There's a striking contrast between the labor of the smithy and the idle rest of the seated soldiers. The image invites us to consider the contributions and experiences of working-class individuals during wartime, whose efforts, while essential, often remain less visible in historical narratives. Consider how Hornby uses the landscape and the figures within it to convey a sense of exhaustion. The scene might not be overtly valorizing the war, but it offers a more nuanced view of the collective effort and human cost involved. Through this quiet scene, we can contemplate themes of labor, class, and the human condition during a time of widespread conflict.