Indførelsen af mål og vægt 1684 - 1784

Nicolai Abildgaard made this watercolor, ‘The Introduction of Measurement and Weight,’ using traditional art materials. Yet, the scene he depicts is anything but traditional, representing laborers at work establishing standardized units. Look closely, and you'll see figures carefully measuring liquids and forging metal weights. The artist has rendered these actions with meticulous detail, emphasizing the labor involved in creating these standards. The figures are idealized, but their postures still communicate the physical demands of the tasks. By focusing on the processes of measurement and production, Abildgaard highlights the social significance of these activities. This challenges traditional notions of art, and pushes us to recognize the value of everyday labor, and the often overlooked skills involved in creating order, and infrastructure. So, the next time you use a ruler or weigh an ingredient, consider the work, and negotiation that went into establishing those systems.