Lille rids med målangivelser 1743 - 1809

Curator: Welcome. Before us hangs Nicolai Abildgaard's "Lille rids med målangivelser", a pencil and graphite drawing, likely created between 1743 and 1809. It resides here at the SMK, the Statens Museum for Kunst. Editor: Well, that's a mouthful! It certainly appears preliminary, a hazy, dreamlike study of forms emerging from the paper. I immediately notice the almost ghostly figures interwoven with abstract lines and notations. Curator: It's fascinating to consider it within the context of academic art and the rising tide of Romanticism during that era. Abildgaard, a key figure in Danish art history, explored themes relevant to historical painting, though this feels less formal than his finished works. The influence of classicism, filtered through a romantic lens, is evident, don't you think? Editor: I see those leanings, sure, but I’m also thinking about Abildgaard's materials – simple pencil and graphite. His control over them speaks volumes. Look at the pressure variations creating depth and shadow. Was this intended as a study for something larger, or a work in its own right exploring these looser sketching styles becoming common? I am fascinated how an artist juggles different modes to eventually create a monumental work. Curator: Good questions. The drawing gives us clues. Notice the annotations; indications of measurements, hints toward a larger composition perhaps. These dimensions offer a behind-the-scenes view into Abildgaard's creative process and academic background. This may show something initially spontaneous getting slowly formalized and brought under "artistic control," reflecting wider historical and societal forces prevalent at the time. Editor: Absolutely. The existence of this work now, displayed in the museum, raises questions. It underscores that the distinction between ‘finished artwork’ and preliminary study, can sometimes be quite blurred. Art history so often fixates on final forms, and gives little importance to the means used to attain it. The study then provides essential cues and context towards that work. Curator: Indeed, it grants insights into the labour and thought that often go unseen. This drawing exemplifies how institutions shape and preserve our understanding of artistic legacies. The piece also allows us a glimpse into a crucial period when artists explored the boundaries between academic rigor and romantic expression. Editor: Precisely. In focusing on artistic labour, Abildgaard encourages us to reconsider value. Thank you for your insights on "Lille rids med målangivelser". Curator: A worthy analysis from your perspective! It allows to better understand art’s multifaceted history.