2-995-673 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

"The Village Smithy", by Lewis, in the Crystal Palace Picture Gallery, 1860. 'This is just of the class of subject in which Mr. Lewis is always so much at home - a scene of ordinary every-day industry, with a little humorous incident of domestic life. The smithy, with all its appropriate furnishings, is painted with nice detail and commendable accuracy, and in a happy harmony of colour. In the foreground is a pleasant little scene between the postboy and a young girl for whom he has a letter, the purport of which, by his smirking face, he fancies himself to be aware of; whilst the young lady, in her eager anxiety to obtain it, seems to sanction the suggestion. This clever picture, admirably painted in every part, we recently had the pleasure of seeing in the Fine-Art Department of the Crystal Palace'. From "Illustrated London News", 1860.