Michael the Archangel Contending with the Devil about the Body of Moses 1796 - 1797

Nicolai Abildgaard made this drawing of Michael the Archangel wrestling with the Devil for Moses's body using pen and brown ink, with brown and grey wash. Abildgaard’s choice of these specific materials would have been deliberate. Pen and ink is a medium associated with the rapid development of ideas, and the use of brown and grey wash enhances the sense of depth and volume. But it is the very act of drawing, a process of adding lines and building up form, that gives the composition its energy and tension, evoking the intense struggle between the two figures. The artist’s skilled manipulation of materials, and the labor involved in the production process, have imbued the artwork with deeper cultural significance. It’s a potent reminder that artistic skill lies not only in the concept, but in the considered handling of the materials themselves.