23 Facts About Nicolai Abildgaard

Nicolai Abraham Abildgaard 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, Denmark.

Nicolai Abildgaard won a series of medallions at the Academy for his brilliance from 1764 to 1767.

Nicolai Abildgaard assisted Professor Johan Mandelberg of the Academy as an apprentice around 1769 and for painting decorations for the royal palace at Fredensborg.

Nicolai Abildgaard took a side trip to Naples in 1776 with Jens Juel.

Nicolai Abildgaard's ambitions focused in the genre of history painting.

Nicolai Abildgaard developed an appreciation for the literature of Shakespeare, Homer, and Ossian.

Nicolai Abildgaard worked with themes from Greek as well as Norse mythology, which placed him at the forefront of Nordic romanticism.

Nicolai Abildgaard taught mythology and anatomy in addition to painting of the neoclassical style.

Nicolai Abildgaard produced not only monumental works, but smaller pieces such as vignettes and illustrations.

Nicolai Abildgaard was interested in all manners of mythological, biblical, and literary allusion.

Nicolai Abildgaard had the reputation for being a tyrant and for taking as many of the academy's monumental assignments as possible for himself.

Nicolai Abildgaard supported the emancipation of the farmers and participated in the collection of monies for the Freedom Monument in 1792.

Nicolai Abildgaard contributed a design for the monument, as well as for two of the reliefs at its base.

Nicolai Abildgaard got drawn into controversies at the end of the 18th century because of his provocative statements and satirical drawings.

Nicolai Abildgaard was politically isolated and cut out of the public debate by censors.

Nicolai Abildgaard decorated the Levetzau Palace at Amalienborg, recently occupied home of King Christian VII of Denmark's half-brother Frederik.

Nicolai Abildgaard planned for rebuilding the Christiansborg Palace, but he could not get the assignment.

Nicolai Abildgaard continued to provide the court with designs for furniture and room decorations.

Nicolai Abildgaard was selected to serve as the Academy's director from 1801 until his death.

Nicolai Abildgaard married Anna Marie "Nancy" Christiane Oxholm in 1781.

Nicolai Abildgaard gave birth to his son Marcus Aurelius the same year.

Nicolai Abildgaard had a further two sons and a daughter from this marriage.

Nicolai Abildgaard's style was classical, though with a romantic trend.