Scene af Apuleus' "Det gyldne æsel" 10.bog. Den unge pige afklæder sig, til højre står æslet 1743 - 1809

Editor: This drawing by Nicolai Abildgaard, "Scene af Apuleus' 'Det gyldne æsel' 10.bog," made between 1743 and 1809, depicts a nude woman beside an ass, rendered in pencil. There is an air of vulnerability and quiet narrative intrigue about it. What underlying stories do you see in this piece? Curator: This drawing offers a potent lens through which to examine the dynamics of power and representation. Abildgaard, working within a neoclassical framework, appropriates this scene from Apuleius' *Golden Ass*, immediately engaging with issues of authorship, translation, and the male gaze. How does the act of depicting this particular scene, with the woman’s body so explicitly presented alongside the animal, speak to broader societal anxieties around female sexuality and bestiality? Editor: I see. So it’s less about the surface narrative and more about what the scene might reveal about cultural attitudes at the time? Curator: Precisely! Consider the era’s fascination with classical antiquity. Neoclassicism often served as a vehicle for reinforcing patriarchal norms and ideas of racial and social hierarchy. By reinterpreting Apuleius, Abildgaard enters this arena, consciously or unconsciously shaping perceptions of gender and otherness. Editor: It's fascinating to consider the layers of meaning embedded in this seemingly simple drawing, especially when viewed through a feminist lens. Curator: Exactly. And it reminds us that art is never created in a vacuum. Even ostensibly historical or mythological subjects can offer a potent commentary on contemporary societal structures and power dynamics. How does examining the drawing challenge us to re-evaluate the aesthetic choices from centuries past? Editor: It definitely shifts my perspective from a purely aesthetic appreciation to a critical examination of its historical context. Thanks for opening my eyes to a new dimension of seeing art! Curator: My pleasure. Always remember that art offers invaluable insights into the past, influencing dialogues surrounding identity, representation and ultimately, who gets to shape history.