En knælende gammel skjald med løftede arme; set halvt bagfra 1743 - 1809

Nicolai Abildgaard created this ink drawing of a kneeling bard with raised arms in Denmark, sometime in the late 18th century. Abildgaard, as a professor and director at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, played a pivotal role in shaping Danish Neoclassical art. This sketch offers a glimpse into the cultural fascination with Nordic mythology and the revival of ancient Norse themes during that time. The figure's theatrical pose and emotive expression link it to the period's interest in Romanticism and the sublime. Abildgaard’s choice of subject matter, a bard, reflects a broader cultural movement in which artists and intellectuals sought inspiration in national history and folklore. To fully appreciate Abildgaard's art, we can delve into the archives of the Royal Danish Academy, exploring the institution's role in shaping artistic expression, and studying how artists of the time engaged with nationalism, mythology, and the changing social landscape.