Ornament der Francis Flute als Thisbe c. 1867 - 1868

This drawing in pen and ink of Francis Flute as Thisbe was made by the German artist Paul Konewka, most likely in the late 19th century. Konewka was known for his silhouette illustrations, a popular art form at the time, often used in children's books and for theatrical productions. This drawing, which is now in the collection of the Städel Museum, shows a figure from Shakespeare's “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” In the play, Francis Flute, a male character, plays the part of Thisbe, a female character. The artist has rendered a tangle of looping lines, suggesting a whirlwind of chaotic activity on stage, and perhaps commenting on the disruptions of identity brought about by the play-within-a-play. To fully understand this image, it's important to consider the context of 19th-century theater, the cultural status of Shakespeare, and the revival of silhouette art. Only then can we start to understand how this drawing might have challenged or reinforced the social norms of its time.