A detailed lithograph by François Jean Villain, depicting a farrier tending to horses in a stable, based on a composition by Théodore Géricault.

This lithograph by François Jean Villain reproduces a composition by the French Romantic painter Théodore Géricault. The scene depicts a farrier at work within a stable, attending to the hooves of a horse. The composition focuses on the physical labour of the farrier, who is shown in a dynamic pose, while the horses stand in the background, draped in protective coverings. The use of lithography allows for a range of tonal values, capturing the play of light and shadow across the stable interior and the musculature of the animals.

Villain was a skilled lithographer who frequently collaborated with contemporary artists to translate their paintings and drawings into the print medium. His technical precision is evident in the rendering of the textures, from the rough apron of the worker to the smooth coats of the horses. The work reflects the interest in equine subjects that defined much of Géricault's career, as he often observed horses in various states of activity and rest. The print provides a clear view of the tools and environment associated with nineteenth-century farriery, presented with the dramatic lighting characteristic of the period. The composition is balanced, with the farrier positioned to guide the viewer's eye across the scene, connecting the human subject with the animals under his care. This print serves as a record of the collaborative process between painter and printmaker, which was common in the dissemination of art during the early nineteenth century.