Søndag. En kronet nøgen gud, udstrør blomster med begge hænder 1743 - 1809

Nicolai Abildgaard created this drawing, "Sunday: A Crowned Nude God, Scattering Flowers with Both Hands," using pen and brown ink with gray wash, likely in the late 18th century. It suggests a particular cultural moment in Denmark, where classical ideals were being revived and reinterpreted. Abildgaard was a key figure in the Danish art scene, heavily involved with the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. Here, he presents us with a classical nude figure, referencing the art of ancient Greece and Rome, which was seen as the foundation of Western culture. The figure’s nudity and the scattering of flowers might allude to themes of fertility, abundance, and the natural world, aligning with Enlightenment-era interests in science and reason. To fully grasp this work, one might delve into the archives of the Royal Academy, examine Abildgaard’s other works, and explore the philosophical texts circulating in Denmark at the time. Only then can we understand its place within the broader social and intellectual currents.