Bête de Labeur 1898

"Bête de Labeur" (Beast of Labor), an 1898 etching by Pieter Dupont, depicts a weary draft horse harnessed to a heavy load. The horse, with a drooping head and tired legs, stands on a riverbank, its burden emphasized by the multiple straps and a saddle. The artist's use of detailed linework and the stark contrast between light and dark creates a sense of realism and poignancy. The background features a river scene with a bridge, and a small boat in the distance, suggesting the busy urban environment that the horse is part of. The work highlights the hard labor and the enduring strength of animals in the face of arduous tasks.