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This picture certainly fits it's title Passion & Patience. Every farrier that I know has found him or herself in this situation. The details in this picture are wonderful; you can see many tools very clearly, right down to the bone-handled hoof knife in the farrier's hand. A variety of shoes are scattered around and hanging on the wall. You can see the toe clips, creases, heel calks etc. Even the bent nails on the shoes that have been pulled off and the shavings of hoof on the floor.
The picture has so much energy, so much going on. The tension between the farrier and horse is obvious, and on further study one notices the expression on the little dog; he knows something is about to happen. In the middle of all this action, the bay horse appears to be sleeping! The contrast in structure of the two horses; a fine boned hot-blood and a heavy cold-blood is apparent. John Sargent Noble was a painter who truly knew his subject.
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