Körper des Demetrius, nackt, mit gezogenem Schwert und weit ausfallendem Schritt, nach links c. 1867 - 1868

This sketch of a nude Demetrius with a sword, now in the Städel Museum, was made by Paul Konewka in the 19th century. The initial impression is of a figure in dynamic tension, poised between movement and stasis. Konewka’s use of line is crucial here. The sketch favors quick, assertive strokes over detailed rendering. This immediacy captures not just the figure’s form but also the energy of the pose. We see a body caught in the act of lunging, the lines emphasizing musculature and strain. The figure's nudity links it to classical ideals, yet the sketch-like quality infuses it with modernity. Consider how the unfinished nature of the work invites interpretation. It challenges traditional notions of artistic completion, questioning what truly constitutes the 'finished' artwork. Konewka prompts us to think about the creative process itself. This piece asks us to engage with its structure but also to reflect on how it destabilizes established artistic categories.