English school oil on canvas genre scene painting after an original work titled "The Village Smithy," exhibited in the Crystal Palace Picture Gallery in 1860, depicting a messenger boy with his horse delivering a letter to a woman holding a child outside of a blacksmith shop, with a male figure metalworking inside producing horseshoes. The scene features details, including tactile architectural components, birds, and spring foliage. Signed "Heywood Hardy" spuriously, lower right. Unframed. 24" H x 20" W. Note: A wood-engraved print copy of the original painting was made in the mid-19th century and was illustrated in the London News in September 1860. This painting is believed to be copied from the wood engraving. English, circa mid-late 19th century.

PROVENANCE: The Estate of Pia Stratton, Nashville, Tennessee.

CONDITION: Painting has been lined. Slight craquelure and light scattered retouching to background throughout.