En mand med et laterna magica viser et billede af handelens og håndværkets forfald - den halte Mercur, den sovende Vulcan etc. 1743 - 1809

Nicolai Abildgaard's "En mand med et laterna magica viser et billede af handelens og håndværkets forfald - den halte Mercur, den sovende Vulcan etc." is a captivating drawing created between 1743 and 1809. Depicting a man using a magic lantern to project an image onto a screen, the artwork highlights the decline of trade and craftsmanship. The projected image shows Mercury, the Roman god of trade, limping, while Vulcan, the god of fire and metalworking, sleeps soundly. The use of the magic lantern as a tool for projecting a satirical commentary on societal issues is a unique and thought-provoking aspect of this work.