Helena setzt Demetrius nach c. 1867 - 1868

Paul Konewka’s drawing, ‘Helena setzt Demetrius nach’ at the Städel Museum, captures a scene with delicate yet purposeful lines. The figures, defined by their stark outlines, stand out against the pale ground, creating a visual drama through the contrast of void and form. This approach emphasizes shape and gesture, distilling the narrative to its most essential components. Konewka's reliance on line to construct form has roots in classical sculpture and friezes but he strips these influences down to their most basic form. The figures are constructed from outlines; Konewka invites us to engage with the fundamental elements of representation and the structural underpinnings of visual language. This piece deconstructs the traditional story, allowing the viewer to complete it. This use of line underscores the drawing’s conceptual core, opening up new possibilities for how we understand character, emotion, and storytelling through the semiotics of art.