Løs skitse og regnestykker 1743 - 1809

Nicolai Abildgaard created this sketch, whose date is unknown, on paper. The dominant symbol is the crest, an emblem of authority and lineage. Historically, such heraldic devices signified power, linking individuals or families to traditions of honor and control. We see this symbol echo through time, in emblems from ancient Roman standards to medieval knights' shields. This representation has transformed, yet the underlying message of authority remains. The repetition of such symbols taps into a collective memory, a subconscious recognition of power dynamics. The crest in Abildgaard’s sketch evokes a feeling of established order and perhaps an inherent tension between authority and individual expression. This tension, recurring across epochs, suggests a deeper psychological theme, engaging us on an almost primal level. It shows the non-linear journey of symbols through history, constantly reappearing and evolving, each time imprinting a new layer of meaning onto the old.