Blaafarveværket in Modum, Norway, was in the mid 19th century the largest industrial company in Norway, employing more than 2,000 workers. The works mined and manufactured cobalt blue, and covered 80 percent of the world market.

The company was founded by the Dano-Norwegian king in the 1770s, and was in 1823 acquired by Wilhelm Christian Benecke (Berlin) and Benjamin Wegner, who became director general. Wegner intituted many important social reforms for the workers.

Currently it is a famous art gallery and a major tourist attraction. In the summer of 2003, Queen Margrethe II of Denmark held an exhibition of her paintings.

External links

• http://www.blaa.no

History of Norway | Art museums and galleries in Norway | Mining companies of Norway

Blaafarveværket | Modum Blaufarbenwerk | Blaafarveværket | Blaafarveværket