Schlafender Lysander nach links sowie Beine des schlafenden Lysanders nach links und rechts c. 1867 - 1868

Paul Konewka sketched "Sleeping Lysander" in pencil, capturing the essence of repose. Lysander's slumber, a motif echoing through art history, evokes a sense of vulnerability. Consider Endymion, eternally sleeping under Selene's gaze, or even the infant Christ in countless Nativity scenes. Sleep, here, becomes a symbol of surrender, a pause in the narrative. Yet, it also invites contemplation. Notice how Konewka sketches Lysander's limbs, disjointed, almost floating. This detachment mirrors the subconscious state of dreaming, where the body is present but the mind wanders. This motif has been present throughout many artworks in history, from classical sculptures to renaissance paintings. The act of sleeping, depicted across millennia, taps into our primal fears and desires. Konewka’s sketch captures this delicate balance, reminding us of sleep's timeless power.