Nemesis Covers her Eyes in Grief. Allegory on P.A. Heiberg's Banishment 1743 - 1809

"Nemesis Covers her Eyes in Grief. Allegory on P.A. Heiberg's Banishment" is a pen and wash drawing created by Danish artist Nicolai Abildgaard in the late 18th century. The drawing depicts the Greek goddess Nemesis, who personifies divine retribution, covering her eyes in grief. The image alludes to the banishment of Danish playwright P.A. Heiberg, a prominent figure in the Danish Enlightenment. The drawing, now housed in the SMK - Statens Museum for Kunst, serves as a powerful commentary on the political and social events of the time. Abildgaard's use of line and wash creates a sense of sorrow and despair, reflecting the public sentiment towards Heiberg's exile. The drawing, though small in scale, demonstrates Abildgaard's masterful use of neoclassical style in depicting the figure of Nemesis and creating a powerful allegorical image.