Kopf und Arme der Titania und Nick Bottom mit Eselskopf von vorn c. 1867 - 1868

Paul Konewka made this pen and ink drawing depicting Titania and Nick Bottom from Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, in Germany. The image visualizes a scene of social disruption. The fairy queen Titania falls in love with the weaver Nick Bottom, who has been given the head of a donkey by the mischievous Puck. Konewka, a Jewish artist, later became known for his silhouette illustrations that retold classic stories in a modern way. This drawing, while less known, reflects the artist's interests in themes of transformation and the disruption of social hierarchies. In the context of 19th-century Germany, Shakespeare was often used to explore questions of national identity and cultural heritage. Works like these destabilize this by incorporating elements of folk traditions. By exploring archival sources, such as letters, reviews, and exhibition catalogs, we can better understand the artwork's initial reception and its place within the broader cultural landscape. The meaning of art changes based on its social context.