Teacher | Student
Originally produced in: Deutschland
Also available in: en

1. A painting: Iron Mill by Adolph Menzel, National Gallery Berlin

Iron mill by Adolph Menzel Click image to enlarge
Source: Adolph Menzel, Oil/Canvas, 158x254 cm, 1872/75, National Gallery, Berlin.

Presentation

In the 19th century, more and more people sought work in factories. The working conditions were often very poor and for a long time, there were no occupational-safety measures for factory workers.

Questions

  1. Upon which aspects of the work in the iron mill does the painter lay great stress?
  2. What effects on the factory worker did the factory system have?

Display teacher's view to find the answers.


Geographical/Historical Context

The painting by Adolf Menzel shows the heavy work in the iron rolling mills. The working conditions are displayed here very accurately. The iron is melted by men without any protective clothing - the workers wear neither safety goggles nor non-combustible clothing protecting them against the hot sparks of the fire. While some workers are eating and others, as it seems, taking a brief rest, the work around them takes its usual course. The bad air condenses beneath the roof, which suggests that there has to be no ventilation.

Only thanks to the workers’ movements which appeared at the end of the 19th century, were these conditions improved. As a form of protection for the employees, bans against child labour as well as accident and health insurance were introduced.

This depiction clearly illustrates what the working conditions of the people in 19th century Europe were like. They did not have any holidays required by law or regulated breaks at the place of work in rooms which were intended for this purpose.

Answer to the Questions

1: Heat, taxing work, no protection of the workers, too many workers in the factory, breaks at the place of work (i.e. no separate room for the employees).

2:

  • Workers submit to the machines: dependency.
  • Work was often associated with the change of the place residence and, therefore, associated with the change of duties and responsibilities.
  • Life at subsistence level (low wages, long working hours, child labour, etc.).
  • The working day of men changed entirely

Links