Artwork

The Abolition of Adscription in 1788

The Abolition of Adscription in 1788, by Nicolai Abildgaard, oil, 1796
The Abolition of Adscription in 1788, by Nicolai Abildgaard, oil, 1796

The Abolition of Adscription in 1788 is an oil painting by the Neoclassicist artist Nicolai Abildgaard. It dates from 1796 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

About this work

Overview

The Abolition of Adscription in 1788 is a 1796 oil painting by Nicolai Abildgaard, a Danish artist associated with the neoclassical movement.

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts a scene with four figures: a crowned man holding a scepter, a kneeling man with a book or scroll, and two women in ancient Greek attire. The scene likely represents a significant event, possibly related to the abolition of adscription, a feudal practice, in 1788.

Technique & Style

Abildgaard's use of chiaroscuro creates a sense of depth, while the muted color palette, dominated by shades of brown, gray, and beige, contributes to the neoclassical style. The artist's skillful handling of light and shadow adds dimensionality to the scene.

History & Provenance

The painting is part of the Statens Museum for Kunst collection. Abildgaard, who worked as a painter, sculptor, and architect, created many works for royal Danish palaces, including Christiansborg and Amalienborg.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Nicolai Abildgaard

Artist

Nicolai Abildgaard

Nicolai Abraham Abildgaard (11 September 1743 – 4 June 1809) was a Danish neoclassical and royal history painter, sculptor, architect, and professor of painting, mythology, and anatomy at the New Royal Danish Academy of Art in Copenhagen…