Der Hund des Mondes, laufend und mit hängendem Kopf, nach links sowie nach rechts c. 1867 - 1868

Paul Konewka made this drawing, "Der Hund des Mondes," with graphite on paper. The marks are quickly, almost nervously applied, resulting in an image that is evocative, rather than descriptive. Konewka's technique is quite simple. It's just a matter of applying pressure with the graphite to build the form. You can see pentimenti, where he has gone over a line again and again, adjusting and refining his image. The grainy texture and soft grey hue are inherent to the material. They give the drawing a quality of immediacy, as if the dog were caught in mid-motion. But even a seemingly simple sketch like this one has a social context. Paper production became increasingly industrialized in the 19th century, making it more accessible to artists. Graphite pencils, too, were becoming more standardized and affordable. So, in a way, this drawing is a product of its time, reflecting the rise of industrial capitalism and the democratization of art. By paying attention to these materials and their contexts, we can gain a deeper understanding of the artwork and its place in the world.