En pige ved et bord trillende dej i et værelse med markant vindue 1854

Ernst Meyer created this pencil drawing, *A Girl Kneading Dough at a Table by a Large Window*, sometime in the 19th century. The immediate impression is one of lightness, owing to the chosen medium. Yet, this wasn't just any drawing, but a study of labor, and one that carries social weight. Look at the way Meyer uses the pencil, building up tone through delicate hatching to describe the girl's dress, the table, and the dough itself. Notice the window in the background. It provides a stark contrast between the interior and exterior, highlighting the labor performed inside, far from the picturesque landscape beyond. The artist clearly knew his materials, and he uses them to evoke a sense of lived reality, far removed from the heroic narratives found in history painting. It’s a potent reminder that art doesn't just represent; it also embodies the values and material conditions of its time.