Et selskab i en rokokosal overværer et eksperimentalt forsøg 1754

This engraving by Jonas Haas, made in Copenhagen in 1754, depicts a scientific experiment in a rococo salon. The image offers a glimpse into the world of the 18th-century enlightenment and its intersection with the Danish elite. It seems that scientific curiosity became a form of social spectacle. The image creates meaning through the juxtaposition of its elegant setting with the experiment taking place. This piece reflects the era’s fascination with scientific discoveries and the public role of science within aristocratic circles. The presence of an audience underscores the importance of social validation and patronage in the advancement of scientific knowledge. To fully appreciate this engraving, we might consider exploring scientific publications, correspondence and notes from the period. These resources would help reveal the context and meaning, not only of this specific experiment, but also the institutional and social dimensions of enlightenment science in Denmark.