Study of a Male Nude (Althaemenes) Trying to Hide Himself 1763 - 1809

This pen and brown wash drawing by Danish artist Nicolai Abraham Abildgaard, titled "Study of a Male Nude (Althaemenes) Trying to Hide Himself," depicts a crouching male figure with his head bowed and arms covering his body. The figure, possibly a depiction of the Trojan hero Althaemenes, appears to be in a state of hiding, suggesting vulnerability or shame. The quick and gestural style of the drawing, executed sometime between 1763 and 1809, reflects Abildgaard's exploration of anatomy and classical themes. The artwork currently resides in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.