Calèche met één paard 1773 - 1843

Georges Michel made this drawing of a horse-drawn carriage in the late 18th or early 19th century, using graphite on paper. Michel, a French painter known for his landscapes, here uses a simple medium to capture a common sight of his time. The graphite lines are light and quick, prioritizing capturing the form and structure of the carriage over details. We can almost feel the weight of the carriage and the strength of the horse through the artist's depiction. The drawing reminds us of the labor and skill involved in transportation before the advent of the automobile. From the blacksmith who forged the wheels, to the leather workers who made the seats, to the skilled driver who guided the horse, a whole chain of producers and consumers is implied by this drawing. By focusing on the everyday, Michel’s drawing elevates the common and reminds us of the value of the human skill behind it.