Carl Ehrenswärd as Apollo, flying to inspect Sergel and Abilgaard 1797

This pen and wash drawing by Swedish sculptor Johann Tobias Sergel depicts a humorous scene of Carl Ehrenswärd, a Swedish count and statesman, as the god Apollo, flying down to inspect the artists Johan Tobias Sergel and Carl Gustaf Pilo. The artwork is a self-portrait of Sergel, representing himself as a young and talented sculptor. He playfully depicts Ehrenswärd as the patron of the arts, inspecting him and the fellow artist Abilgaard. The composition is divided into two parts, with the upper part depicting Apollo's descent in a burst of light, and the lower part focusing on Sergel and Abilgaard. The drawing is a satirical commentary on the relationship between artist and patron, and a testament to Sergel's wit and skill.