Studienblatt_ Figuren aus Shakespeares Sommernachtstraum c. 1867 - 1868

Paul Konewka created this graphite drawing, Studienblatt: Figuren aus Shakespeares Sommernachtstraum, in Germany, probably in the 1860s. Konewka became famous for his silhouette illustrations for books, and here we see his preparatory sketches for Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The imagery relates to specific scenes of the comedy. The bottom register, for example, shows the “Rüpeltanz,” the dance of the clowns. Konewka’s approach is charming but also revealing. The sketches show tiny, childlike figures expressing the world of Shakespeare’s play through gesture. In their minimalism, they reflect a broader trend in the arts of the time. The rejection of academic conventions and the embrace of simplicity was viewed by many artists, designers, and writers as a progressive artistic statement. To understand more, check out our collection of illustrated books from the period. You may also find interesting background information in the museum’s collection of letters written by contemporary scholars.