Oberon, der indische Knabe und Titania c. 1867

Victor Müller created this study for "Oberon, der indische Knabe und Titania" at an unknown date, and it now resides in the Städel Museum. The sketch presents us with a composition held together by the delicate interplay of lines, revealing two figures in what seems to be an ethereal dance or a moment of encounter. The artist's choice of a light-handed technique renders the forms almost spectral, evoking a sense of fleeting beauty. The figures, defined by their gestural outlines, suggest movement and emotional exchange. Müller's interest in depicting scenes from literature and mythology reflects the 19th-century academic tradition, yet his handling of form leans towards a more modern sensibility. The open-ended narrative invites us to contemplate the nature of power dynamics, desire, and the imaginary realms that literature opens up. The figures, rendered in such a way that their forms are not quite complete, challenge our ability to fix meaning, existing in a space that hovers between representation and abstraction. Ultimately, the work reminds us that art is less about fixed meanings and more about the dynamic possibilities of interpretation.