Mercury by the Seashore 1790s

Nicolai Abildgaard's "Mercury by the Seashore" (1790s) is a neoclassical painting depicting the Roman god Mercury reclining on a grassy knoll by the sea. He is depicted in a relaxed pose, clad only in a helmet with winged ears and a cloak draped over his lower body. In the background, a ship sails on the water, referencing the god's association with travel and commerce. Abildgaard's masterful use of light and shadow creates a sense of depth and realism, enhancing the idealized beauty of the subject. The work is currently on display at the SMK - Statens Museum for Kunst.