Oberon, nackt und schwebend, nach links c. 1867 - 1868

This sketch by Paul Konewka depicts Oberon, king of the fairies, nude and floating. The figure is rendered with simple lines, yet he carries the weight of centuries of myth. Consider his nudity, a symbol of vulnerability, yet also of a primal, untamed nature, connecting him to ancient depictions of gods and heroes. This mirrors the story of Adam and Eve, whose nakedness marked both innocence and a profound connection to nature. From classical sculptures to Renaissance paintings, the nude form has been a recurring motif, evolving in meaning yet always engaging our deepest emotions. Oberon's floating stance detaches him from earthly constraints and echoes the symbolic floating of angelic figures in religious art, or the levitation of mythical beings. It invites us to reflect on themes of power, transcendence, and the human desire to escape earthly limitations. Like a serpent shedding its skin, such symbols reappear, transformed by time and culture. They continue to resonate, stirring subconscious memories and reminding us of the enduring power of the image.