Five elves c. 1867 - 1868

Curator: This drawing, aptly titled "Five Elves," comes to us from Paul Konewka, dating circa 1867 to 1868. It’s rendered on paper in Städel Museum's collection. Editor: It has this light, almost ethereal quality. The linework is delicate, almost like whispers on the page. The composition too, feels dynamic; figures suspended and posed. It brings this immediate sense of joyful movement to my eye. Curator: Konewka’s career saw him gain considerable popularity for his silhouette illustrations, gaining significant traction through publications like those of Goethe and Shakespeare. The artist used fairy tales to express and engage in the world, his romantic visions finding resonance amongst those grappling with rapid industrial change in Germany. Editor: I find it curious to see the use of light and shadow here – sketchy but present nonetheless. Consider how the implied light source shapes these forms; the soft modelling accentuates their ethereal quality. Curator: Sketches such as this gave agency to these stories and fairy tales; providing agency and even subtly addressing class divisions through fantastical representation and artistic consumption. Editor: Speaking of the fantastic, observe the elusiveness in the character sketches: notice their miniature forms, childlike qualities combined with suggestions of wings…it taps into a rich tradition of allegorical representation of lightness in visual terms. The lack of strong details almost pushes it closer toward dreamscape. Curator: Right, and during this time, fairy tales and folklore experienced something of a revival. Konewka taps into the public's thirst for such material but then disseminates this material and subjects of German national pride through his commercialized art. Editor: Absolutely. Examining Konewka’s marks more broadly – we see an interesting push and pull of negative space. Where is mass suggested, and how does the minimal definition enhance a playful tension? Curator: Yes! These sketchbook pages reveal Konewka's creative process—blurring the line between folklore and political identity. A crucial contribution to art’s broader societal influence. Editor: Seeing "Five Elves" has heightened my focus on Konewka’s linework and handling of light; bringing new insights and appreciation to the image overall. Curator: And it reveals much about the public's romantic fascination with folklore. A reminder of art’s dialogue with socio-political moods during times of intense transformation.