Schlafender Lysander und eine Schriftprobe, Teil eines verworfenen Entwurfs für das Titelblatt c. 1867 - 1868

This is Paul Konewka's rejected title page design, featuring a sleeping Lysander, sketched on paper. Konewka, a German-Polish silhouette artist, was working during a time of burgeoning nationalism and romanticism. He made his mark illustrating the works of Goethe and Shakespeare, often employing the stark contrast of black and white to convey deep emotional states. Konewka's identity as a deaf artist also profoundly shaped his sensibilities. His art became a visual language. His choice to depict Lysander sleeping might allude to the character's vulnerability, or perhaps to the deeper themes of illusion and reality that echo through Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream." The artist invites us to consider not only what we see, but also what remains unseen, unheard, and unspoken. This piece, with its delicate lines and ethereal quality, prompts reflection on the narratives we construct and the diverse voices that enrich our understanding.