Frise med dreng ved Bacchus' og Mars' (eller Plutos) kærre trukket af løver 1743 - 1809

This small frieze was made by Nicolai Abildgaard using pen and ink and wash on paper. The swiftness of the line suggests that the artwork was not made for a paying client. It looks more like a sketch, intended to explore composition rather than create a finished work. Abildgaard was primarily a painter, deeply immersed in the neoclassical style. Here he uses a drawing technique, which is closely aligned with painting – the application of washes to create shadow and depth. The use of pen lines adds further definition to the scene. It is important to remember that in the 18th century, drawing was a skill acquired to help in the production of other things, like paintings or architecture. This was a highly valued form of labor. In this particular case, the artist’s labor results in a drawing that seems to be an exercise in the exploration of classical themes. Although it remains unfinished, it gives us insight into Abildgaard's way of thinking and working. It also challenges the rigid distinction between high art and the everyday practice of drawing.