Hoefsmid beslaat een paard 1873

George Hendrik Breitner made this drawing of a farrier shoeing a horse with graphite on paper. The choice of this humble material is important, because drawing has historically been seen as a preliminary medium, a means to an end. But here, the artist elevates it, using subtle gradations to capture a fleeting moment of labor. You can almost feel the weight of the horse, and the concentration of the farrier as he undertakes this essential task. The work involved in shoeing a horse is physically demanding, requiring skilled use of tools and an understanding of animal anatomy. It’s a world of calloused hands and honest toil, far removed from the refined salons of high society. Breitner's focus on this scene challenges the traditional hierarchy of art, bringing the everyday lives of working people into the realm of artistic representation. He asks us to consider the value of craft and labor, and to recognize the artistry inherent in even the most practical of occupations.