Dumpy Level — Jacques Canivet

Dumpy level

Discover Jacques Canivet’s ‘Dumpy Level,’ a 1733 scientific instrument painting. Admire this brass masterpiece from the Naval Museum, Madrid. A unique historical art piece!


jacques canivet (1714 - 1773)

Discover Jacques Canivet, a renowned French scientific instrument maker (1714-1773). Explore his compasses, quadrants, and astronomical tools crafted in Paris.

Naval Museum (Madrid, Spain)

Explore Spain's naval heritage at the Naval Museum of Madrid! Discover impressive collections, stunning stained-glass roofs & architectural grandeur showcasing maritime history from the Renaissance to modern times.

This instrument is used to identify horizontal lines in topography and geodesy, the latter meaning the study of the shape and size of the Earth and the positions of points on or above its surface. It has a solid metal frame on which there are 2 eyepieces, with their horizontal lines of vision arranged so that each corresponds to the lens of the other. The upper section has a suspension point and plumb line, while the lower section has a silver arc on which degree increments are engraved. When the wire crosses the center of the scale, the eyepiece optical axes are perfectly horizontal.