Smid in zijn werkplaats 1850 - 1910

"Smid in zijn werkplaats" (Blacksmith in his workshop) is a black and white etching by Fr. van Groeningen dating from 1850-1910. The print depicts a blacksmith working in a dimly lit workshop, the light coming from a window in the back wall. This dramatic use of light and shadow is characteristic of the artist's style. The work is a study in the daily lives of working-class people, a theme common to realism art. The etching measures 231 mm high and 160 mm wide, and is a reminder of the craftsmanship and skill of the blacksmith, a trade that was an essential part of life in the 19th century.