Nick Bottom mit Eselskopf, gehend, einen Arm leicht nach vorn gestreckt, sowie Ornamente c. 1867 - 1868

Paul Konewka made this sketch, entitled "Nick Bottom mit Eselskopf, gehend, einen Arm leicht nach vorn gestreckt, sowie Ornamente", in Germany in the late 19th century. Konewka was part of a burgeoning art scene that took inspiration from theatre and literature. "A Midsummer Night's Dream" was popular at the time, and the artist's choice of Nick Bottom, a character who is temporarily transformed into a donkey, speaks to contemporary fascination with metamorphosis and the blurring of boundaries between the human and animal worlds. The sketch hints at the psychological depth of Shakespeare's play, while also commenting on the social structures of Victorian society. In considering the role of art historians, it's important to mention the social conditions that shape artistic production. Studying historical texts, theater reviews, and the artist's biography would give us more complete insight into the meaning of this evocative sketch.