The Iron Foundry, Burmeister and Wain
1885
From the collection of Statens Museum for Kunst
1885
From the collection of Statens Museum for Kunst
This photo shows a crowded, dimly lit workshop filled with workers. Steam and smoke rise from a glowing furnace in the center, where a group huddles around the bright orange heat. Heavy machinery and wooden beams line the walls, and men in hats and coats stand or walk, some holding tools, others watching the work. The light is harsh in spots, casting shadows across the soot-stained floor. Notice how the artist used strong contrasts between light and dark to show the factory’s gritty reality. The glow of the furnace stands out against the deep blues and grays of the rest of the scene. Check out chiaroscuro to see how this lighting trick works.
