Artwork
The Abolition of Adscription in 1788

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
Artist
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…















