Rome as Ruler of the World 1784

Nicolai Abildgaard painted *Rome as Ruler of the World* using oil on canvas. The square composition centers on a classically-dressed female figure seated regally. Her pale skin and draped robes stand out against the darker, muted tones of the background and the chained figures at her feet. This contrast draws our eye immediately to her serene and dominant presence. Abildgaard employs a formal structure that reinforces the painting’s theme. The central figure embodies Rome, her posture erect and her gaze confident. She literally and figuratively stands on top of the world. Note how the artist uses the symbols of power like the staff and helmet, and culture like the lyre to convey Rome’s dominion. The chained figures representing subjugated peoples are rendered with rough textures and darker colors, visually subjugated by the composition itself. Abildgaard's use of classical motifs isn't merely decorative; it's a carefully constructed argument about power, civilization, and the visual language through which these concepts are communicated. Through such formal and visual language, the artwork prompts us to question how art itself participates in the construction and reinforcement of cultural and political hierarchies.