An Illustration of The Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith

By Sally Fama Cochrane

16" x 22". Oil on canvas. Fall 2009.

The pins in the foreground refer to the pin factory which Smith used to illustrate the division of labor. The hourglass, tools, and coins refer to the idea that time and labor have monetary value. The two studies of hands by Da Vinci on the back wall refer to the "invisible hand," and the bread, beer, and meat refer to the famous quote: "It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the baker that we expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own self-interest." Also: if you look closely, the book on top is "The Wealth of Nations."