Franse hoefsmid 1822

Théodore Géricault created this print, "Franse hoefsmid" – or "French Farrier" – using lithography. It captures a moment of everyday labor, but also hints at the shifting social landscape of early 19th-century France. Consider how the image creates meaning through its focus on the working class. Géricault, living in a time of revolution and social change, often depicted ordinary people and the realities of their lives. The print reflects the growing importance of skilled labor in a rapidly industrializing society, a theme he explored repeatedly. The figure of the farrier is presented with dignity, his work essential to the functioning of both rural and urban economies. To understand this print fully, one might delve into archives documenting the economic conditions and social hierarchies of 19th-century France. What was the status of skilled tradesmen? How did the French Revolution impact these social roles? Such research helps us interpret the political and social undercurrents of seemingly simple scenes.