Hermia und Helena als junge Mädchen c. 1867 - 1868

Paul Konewka made this pencil drawing titled 'Hermia und Helena als junge Mädchen' – or 'Hermia and Helena as Young Girls' – sometime in the mid-19th century. Konewka lived in a time of burgeoning nationalism and cultural romanticism, when there was a vogue for folklore and mythology that tapped into the popular imagination. Konewka, a German artist, is best known for his silhouette illustrations. Here, the figures of Hermia and Helena, characters from Shakespeare’s 'A Midsummer Night’s Dream,' are presented as young girls, emphasizing their innocence and vulnerability. This depiction taps into the Victorian fascination with childhood. However, such representations often idealized young girls according to the restrictive social norms and expectations of the time. Think about the dynamics of female friendship – the intensity, the jealousies, and the societal pressures to conform. How does this drawing, with its delicate lines and focus on youth, speak to the complex experience of growing up female in the 19th century? It invites us to consider the intersection of art, gender, and social expectations.