Oberon with wings c. 1867 - 1868

Editor: Here we have Paul Konewka’s “Oberon with wings”, a pencil drawing on paper from around 1867-1868. It feels almost like a fleeting thought, just barely captured. The figure's so delicately rendered, kind of tentative. What strikes you about it? Curator: Oh, "fleeting" is perfect! It whispers of Mendelssohn's "Midsummer Night's Dream," doesn't it? All airy mischief and moonlit gardens. Konewka, bless his heart, often worked in these delicate silhouettes. Remember, this is the Romantic era; artists were diving deep into imagination and the spirit world. Editor: Yes, I can see that Romantic connection, with the Shakespearean reference and all. What about the empty space around the figure? It makes him seem quite isolated, almost fragile. Curator: Precisely! That emptiness amplifies the sense of Oberon as this ethereal being. It's like he's just materialized or is about to vanish. Perhaps, Konewka's hinting at the ephemerality of dreams, of the fairy realm itself. Or maybe, and this is just me daydreaming, it reflects Konewka's own search for beauty in a world rapidly changing. Editor: So, it's about more than just illustrating a fairy tale. Curator: Absolutely! It's Konewka's way of wrestling with bigger questions – beauty, loss, the power of imagination. This tiny drawing is a portal, really. Don’t you think? Editor: Definitely food for thought, seeing the artist's struggle within this fairy king. I’ll never look at fairy wings the same way again! Curator: Good! Because sometimes, the greatest magic hides in the simplest lines. And art is all about finding the wonder hidden in the ordinary.