Niels Klim kryber ind i hulen 1786 - 1789

"Niels Klim kryber ind i hulen" (Niels Klim Crawling Into the Cave), a drawing by Danish artist Nicolai Abildgaard, depicts a figure, possibly the protagonist of Ludvig Holberg's novel "Niels Klim's Underground Journey," entering a dark and cavernous space. Created between 1786 and 1789, the work showcases Abildgaard's mastery of light and shadow, with the figure partially obscured by the shadowy recesses of the cave. The drawing, executed in brown ink, highlights the artist's interest in exploring both the physical and psychological depths of the human experience, themes that resonated with the intellectual currents of the late 18th century. The drawing is currently housed at the SMK - Statens Museum for Kunst, Copenhagen, Denmark.