Karikatur af tykmavet mand, gående mand mod venstre, med en stor nøgle i venstre hånd 1743 - 1809

This caricature of a stout man, with a large key in his left hand, was drawn by Nicolai Abildgaard. Born in Copenhagen in 1743, Abildgaard was a leading figure in the Danish art scene, particularly known for his neoclassical history paintings. Here, Abildgaard deviates from his usual grand historical themes, and instead adopts a satirical tone to comment on society. The drawing seems to poke fun at the corpulence and perhaps the self-importance of the man, emphasized by the large key he carries – a symbol of access and power. But it's worth considering if the artwork reinforces or challenges existing stereotypes, particularly about body image and status. Abildgaard offers a visual representation of power and privilege, prompting questions about who holds the keys in society, and at what cost. What does it mean to hold the key? What doors does it open and which does it close?