En kvinde, der ligger med et spædbarn på en seng, ser et uhyre vise sig i vinduet. Ved sengens fodende sidder en sovende kvinde 1743 - 1809

Nicolai Abildgaard rendered this drawing of a woman, infant, and monster, sometime between 1760 and 1800, using pen and brown ink on paper. The fluid lines of the pen reveal Abildgaard's skilled hand. The use of ink allowed for quick, expressive marks, capturing the drama of the scene. The transparency of the ink on paper creates depth and shadow with minimal effort. The social context of this artwork is intriguing. Was this a quick preliminary sketch for a larger painting, a personal exploration of fear, or something else? The artist probably made a decision to quickly record his vision, and the qualities inherent in pen and ink - speed, linearity, and tonal range - serve his purpose well. Recognizing the importance of the materials and processes used in its making can help us understand the artist's intent and the cultural significance of this evocative drawing, beyond the traditional boundaries of fine art.