1695
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
The Merry Shoemaker is a 1695 ink by Cornelis Dusart, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This etching shows a messy, cluttered workshop. A shoemaker sits in the center, surrounded by tools, half-finished shoes, and scraps of leather. His face is wrinkled, his clothes rumpled, and he looks tired but focused. Around him, other figures—some standing, some kneeling—seem to be helping or watching, while a dog sniffs at the floor. The walls are lined with shelves holding more tools and odd objects, and the whole scene feels packed with energy. The title, *The Merry Shoemaker*, hints this isn’t just a simple workshop scene—it might be a joke or a playful take on hard work. The artist used a technique that lets them capture every detail with sharp lines and texture. Next, check out etching to see how artists like this made precise, layered prints.
Cornelis Dusart (April 24, 1660 – October 1, 1704) was a Dutch genre painter, drawer (artists), and printmaker.
See the richer artist page
