Movement study

 The only dating I could find for this blacksmith motion study was "early 20th Century."  I can't be the only one who detects a strong influence from Eadweard Muybridge. 

Blacksmith Day

While editing material for tomorrow's Labor Day, I thought of including a photo of a blacksmith.  Then I realized that I had dozens of them, so I'm giving them their day as a pre-Labor Day set.

We begin with a different view of two Muybridge men I've posted  here before.

 

Strength

I wish I knew something about his photo of a very study looking smith.

 

Three Smiths

This is Three Smiths from 1932 by Nylund in Helsinki.

 

There's always one guy

What's wrong with this picture?  Well, all the men are either 

blacksmiths or farriers, except for the carpenter at front.

 

Farrier

Technically, this man is a farrier, but there is a lot of overlap between that trade 

and blacksmithing.  This is another Muybridge sequence, and the horse was possibly 

used in some motion studies.  And speaking of horses, they tend to be rather calm and 

cooperative while being shod.  I really believe that the equines on the ranch 

where I grew up appreciated the protection the shoes gave their hooves.

 

1907

This Danish lithograph looks modern, but it was dated by a reputable website at 1907.

 

Convincing

Although staged in Muybridge's studio/laboratory, 

this elderly man at the anvil is quite realistic.

 

Two views of Picault's Blacksmith

I made this composite to show two sides of The Blacksmith by Emile Picault.

 

"New" version

I posted a different view from this same Muybridge sequence about five weeks ago.

The model always gets a good comment or three.  His mustache is quite cute.

 

This one's for Leroy

The smith in this undated photo is fully dressed, but he still impresses.

Leroy D., this one's for you . . . and me.  I'm a pushover for a hefty dude in bib overalls.

 

Blacksmith

This image of a blacksmith is one of my alltime favorite Muybridge single frames.

He probably had no idea that people would marvel over him 135 years later.

 

Another popular GIF frame

The GIF file of the sequence this frame comes from has justifiably made the rounds and been quite popular on the internet.  I find it nice to "stop and smell the roses" with this single image.

Oh, and I think the blacksmith at right is the guy shown singly earlier today.

 

Under a spreading chestnut tree . . .

                            Under a spreading chestnut-tree
                            The village smithy stands;
                            The smith, a mighty man is he,
                            With large and sinewy hands;
                            And the muscles of his brawny arms
                            Are strong as iron bands. 

A very kind English teacher once gave me a volume of the poems of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, and I still have it after all these years.  (Hattie Russell, I'll never forget you and how you tried to bring letters and learning to a barren place.)  "The Village Smithy" was a favorite from that book, and it inspired todays series, a mix of Muybridge and newer material.  We start with two familiar men.

 

Duo by Muybridge

A relative rare posing strap photo by Muybridge.

Man and horse

 

Another Muybridge set of a blacksmith/farrier in action.

Mid-19th C.

Mid-19th Century.

Trainee 1937

This handsome fellow was a Civilian Conservation Corps blacksmith 

trainee in 1937. Before you say he was preparing for a disappearing trade, 

remember that men (and women) are still entering this profession today:

My enduring thanks to the genius of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow,

one of the greatest American poets ever.

 

Blacksmiths

This Muybridge segment shows two well built blacksmiths at work.

I've probably posted it before, but think it's worth another look.

 

This sledge hammer wielding blacksmith is probably one of Muybridge's best known subjects with the movie version of this sequence being widely available on the internet.