En hest med dækken på 1743 - 1809

Nicolai Abildgaard made this drawing of a horse with a blanket in 1793. It shows how the institutions of art, like the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts where Abildgaard was director, helped shape artistic production in Denmark. The image reveals much about the relationship between art and social status at the time. Horses were a luxury, and their depiction often symbolized wealth and power. Note the horse’s blanket and harness; these details speak to the animal's role in transportation and agriculture, crucial aspects of Denmark's economy in the late 18th century. The sketch-like quality might suggest its use as a study for a larger, more formal artwork. Understanding Abildgaard’s drawing fully requires looking into Denmark’s economic conditions and artistic conventions of the period. We can learn more through archival research, examining period literature, and studying the Royal Academy’s records to uncover the full social context of this seemingly simple horse drawing.