En sort afrikansk kvinde, hvilende på en løve. Allegori på Afrika 1743 - 1809

This drawing, made by Nicolai Abildgaard, features ink and wash on paper. It depicts a dark-skinned woman reclining on a lion. As an allegory of Africa, the work reflects the period's fascination with representing continents through idealized, often stereotypical, figures. Abildgaard employed a combination of fluid lines and shaded washes. These bring volume to the forms, yet the sketch feels unfinished. The materiality of ink and paper invites a focus on the artist's hand and the swift execution of the drawing. The process of creating such allegorical representations often involved a complex negotiation of power dynamics. Here we can appreciate the artistic skill involved in the work’s production, while considering its social context, including the legacy of colonialism and exoticization. Approaching this work with attention to its making and historical context helps us address the full meaning of the drawing.