Untitled c. 19th century

Editor: This print, an untitled piece by Joseph Andrews, captures a scene at what appears to be a blacksmith's shop. I'm struck by the contrast between the figures: the man on horseback, seemingly directing the labor of the blacksmiths. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Consider the artist’s choice to depict this specific setting. It's not just about aesthetics; it’s about the means of production. Blacksmiths were crucial to the infrastructure of 19th-century society, creating tools and maintaining equipment. The man on horseback pointing might represent the demands placed on their labor. How does this depiction of labor affect your understanding of the work? Editor: It makes me think about the social hierarchy present even in these everyday interactions. The blacksmiths are actively working, while the man on horseback seems to be giving orders without engaging in the physical labor. Curator: Exactly. The materiality of the tools they would have used and the final goods that are being made, were fundamental to the social and economic structure of the time. Hopefully, this helps you understand the broader social context reflected in this image.