A Horse being Shod outside a Village Smithy
- Artist: Philips Wouwerman
- Date: probably 1640-50
- Medium: oil on wood
- Museum: The National Gallery
- Collection record: The National Gallery website
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About this artwork
This is "A Horse being Shod outside a Village Smithy" painted in the Netherlands by Philips Wouwerman. It's from around 1640-50 and is done in oil on wood. The painting shows a lively scene of a blacksmith shoeing a white horse, while boys busy themselves with buckets nearby. The horse's elegant owner supports its leg, and another rider comes up the hill at a pace. On the right side, you can see another horse being groomed - but not quite as gently as this one. A billowing cloud adds to the sense of movement and energy in the painting, echoing the shape and movement of the tree that pierces the sky above. Wouwerman was known for breathing life into everyday scenes like these, capturing the noise, smells, and chill breeze. This is just a glimpse into his world, but it's easy to get caught up in the drama and incident that unfolds here.
See it in person
A Horse being Shod outside a Village Smithy hangs in The National Gallery on Trafalgar Square, London — free to enter. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
