Ornament des Nick Bottom als Pyramus mit Garnspule und Schere oder Ornament der Francis Flute als Thisbe mit Garnspule und Schere c. 1867 - 1868

This pencil drawing was made by Paul Konewka, and features a set of common tools: thread spools and scissors. At first glance, these objects appear ordinary. But consider the labour interwoven with each of these forms. The thread, likely factory-made, speaks to the industrialization of textile production. The scissors, instruments of precision, hint at the skilled hands that once tailored garments. The drawing itself is a quick gesture, but it speaks to the wider world of making. Konewka's choice to portray these objects is significant. During the Industrial Revolution, debates about art, labor, and the value of craft were common. The question of materials, the process of making, and the cultural context, all underscore its connection to production and consumption. By spotlighting these everyday tools, the drawing elevates the mundane, inviting us to reconsider the art of making and its place in society.