The Men of Industry

The Men of Industry is a painting comissioned by the engineer and manufacturer Gustav Adolph Hagemann and shows 53 men who were linked either to Denmark's industrialization or engineering progress at home in the second half of the 1800s. The scene is set in the Østerbro electric power station in Copenhagen, late on an early spring afternoon. Fifty-three gentlemen have just arrived to take part in a special guided tour of the new power station. They gather in the machine hall, which is dominated by three large steam engines that drive the generators hidden behind the guests in the right half of the picture. Hagemann himself stands atop the steam engine in the foreground; small in stature and wearing no hat, he occupies a modest position second from the left. When inviting Krøyer to paint The Men of Industry, Hagemann wanted to celebrate progress, particularly the advancements made possible by modern technology and its pioneers. Most people would probably agree that Krøyer managed to convey the power and prestige of the group, giving them the self-confident air of men at the center of a new and dynamic enterprise. In short, the painter has succeeded in creating a monumental painting, one that radiates fascination with technology and an optimistic view of the future.

I need to thank Jacob (who is the greatgrandson of Gustav Adolph) for showing me this masterpiece. Thank you :)