Kvindefigur med pile og kogger, siddende lænet mod et fantasi dyr (muligvis en myresluger). Allegori på Amerika 1743 - 1809

Nicolai Abildgaard rendered this drawing of a female figure with bow and quiver, leaning against an animal, with pen and brown ink. The linear quality, its flowing lines, is immediately striking, creating an image that feels both classical and dynamic. The composition is structured around the interplay between the human and animal forms. The woman, an allegory for America, exudes a sense of poised readiness, while the fantastical animal offers a grounding presence. Abildgaard's use of line varies in thickness and intensity, giving depth and texture to the figures. The texture and form of the 'ant eater' provide a counterpoint to the smooth, idealized body of the woman. This deliberate juxtaposition destabilizes the established allegorical meanings, offering a new perspective on representation, identity and the ‘New World.’ Consider how Abildgaard’s deployment of line and form serves not just an aesthetic purpose, but engages with a broader discourse on cultural identity and representation. Art, after all, remains a site for ongoing dialogue and shifting interpretation.