When culture is classical and traditionally oriented, how can one escape the clutch of tradition? Abildgaard’s art is concerned with the relationship to tradition, and ways of depicting the body. His paintings originate from the political watershed of the turn of the 19th century, when traditionalists and innovators were sharply opposed. Abildgaard’s sympathies were with a new orientation of art and society. Right from the start he was among the young artists who reacted strongly against the prevalent classicism. His political attitudes were quickly inspired by the French Revolution of 1789.

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