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From the world of outdoors, a horseman – dashing, smart and confident – has stepped into the gloomy interior of a blacksmith’s shop. He strikes a superior pose and his status is underlined by his expensive scarlet coat, its gold braid and the hilt of his sword glittering in the dim light. While the horseman stands upright and aloof, the blacksmith, in a simple apron and shirt, bends to his task. His hammer is ready to strike the red-hot iron of a horseshoe. Scenes of tradesman at their work, like this one, were popular. Metsu seems to have found particular success in depicting blacksmith shops – this is one of several which he made around this time. His success depended partly on very precise observation and the meticulous painting of detail.
Title
The Interior of a Smithy
Date
about 1657
Medium
Oil on canvas
Measurements
H 65.4 x W 73.3 cm
Accession number
NG2591
Acquisition method
Salting Bequest, 1910
Work type
Painting
The National Gallery, London
Trafalgar Square, London, Greater London WC2N 5DN England
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