Nick Bottom, aus dem Traum erwachend, umringt von den vier Elfen c. 1867 - 1868

Paul Konewka made this pencil sketch, Nick Bottom awakening from his dream surrounded by four elves, around the mid-19th century. Look closely, and you'll notice it’s not on a single sheet, but pieced together from fragments. The artist has used thin, translucent paper, allowing the pencil lines to show through, as though the image might dissolve at any moment. This fragility gives the drawing an ephemeral quality, fitting for a scene of dreams and fairies. The piecing together may have been a practical decision, perhaps Konewka was using scraps that he had to hand. But it adds a layer of depth, implying that the image itself is fragmentary and perhaps a little unstable. In the 19th century, paper became more affordable and available. Drawing became increasingly accessible, no longer restricted to the wealthy elite. Konewka's sketch, made from humble materials, embodies this shift. This work invites us to reconsider what we value in art, and to appreciate the beauty and significance of the everyday.