De hoefsmid 1875 - 1903

This print by Jan de Haan presents a scene of a farrier at work, shoeing a horse, likely made for a series of Dutch children's prints. It reflects the broader social context of agrarian life and the importance of animals in the 19th-century economy. The image creates meaning through familiar visual codes. The horse stands patiently, while the farrier labours, highlighting the hierarchical relationship between humans and animals within the context of agricultural labour. Consider the institutional history of printmaking during this time; the rise of affordable prints served to disseminate specific social and moral values. The inclusion of farm animals such as the dog and donkey reflect on contemporary attitudes toward nature. Didactic children's prints were a means of instilling particular values or communicating information about the world. Research into similar prints and the publishing history of I. DE HAAN would provide further insights into the social function this artwork was intended to fulfill.