Adrastos dræber sig selv ved Atys' grav 1774 - 1775

Nicolai Abildgaard made this drawing with pen and brown ink wash. It depicts Adrastos killing himself at the tomb of Atys. Made in Denmark, this artwork reflects the period's fascination with classical antiquity and its values. The scene, drawn from Greek mythology, showcases heightened emotion and dramatic action, typical of the Neoclassical movement that Abildgaard championed. This movement was not just about reviving classical styles; it was a deliberate choice to associate with the virtues of the Roman Republic, valorizing duty, reason, and order. The stark emotionality could also be seen as a challenge to the prevailing Rococo style which served the aristocracy with its lighthearted frivolity. Abildgaard, as a professor and director at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, held significant institutional power. He used his position to advocate for an art that served a public moral purpose. Delving into Abildgaard's letters and the Academy's records will give us a fuller picture of his artistic and political ambitions. Only then can we appreciate how artworks such as this were meant to shape public sentiment and cultural identity.