Titania, unbekleidet und mit hochgestecktem Haar, schwebend, nach links c. 1867 - 1868

Paul Konewka sketched Titania, the fairy queen, weightless and suspended, with delicate strokes. Titania embodies a lineage of ethereal female figures, tracing back to classical nymphs and goddesses. The theme of the 'unbekleidet' or nude, takes us back to antiquity. We are drawn to her, a recurring motif symbolizing nature's beauty, yet also the complexities of human desire. Her raised hair echoes the 'nodo' hairstyle seen in ancient Roman portraiture, a symbol of virtue and status. This motif, however, transforms through time, evolving from a sign of Roman nobility to a more generalized emblem of feminine grace. This cultural memory embedded in the hairstyle evokes subconscious connections to classical ideals, now reborn in this fairy queen. The image engages viewers, inviting us to reflect on the cyclical nature of beauty and the enduring power of classical forms.