Paul Klee
- Born:
- 18 December 1879, Münchenbuchsee, Switzerland
- Died:
- 29 June 1940, Muralto, Switzerland
- Nationality:
- Swiss-German
- Profession(s):
- Painter, Draughtsman, Printmaker, Art Theorist
Early Life and Education
- Born into a musical family; his father was a German music teacher and his mother a Swiss singer.
- Showed early aptitude for drawing but initially pursued music, becoming a violinist in the Bern Municipal Orchestra.
- From 1898 to 1901, studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich, initially under Heinrich Knirr and later Franz von Stuck.
- Traveled to Italy in 1901-1902, exposing him to classical art and architecture.
Career and Major Achievements
- Associated with the Blaue Reiter group in Munich from 1911, exhibiting alongside artists like Wassily Kandinsky and Franz Marc.
- His trip to Tunisia in 1914 with August Macke and Louis Moilliet proved transformative, unlocking his use of color.
- Served in the German army during World War I.
- Taught at the Bauhaus from 1921 to 1931, first in Weimar and then in Dessau, where he developed his influential art theory.
- From 1931 to 1933, taught at the Düsseldorf Academy.
- Forced to resign his position in Düsseldorf in 1933 due to Nazi persecution and returned to Bern, Switzerland.
- Suffered from scleroderma, a chronic autoimmune disease, during the last years of his life, which influenced the style of his later works. Some experts note that, despite the debilitating effects of his illness, the prolific outpouring of creativity from what some refer to as 'klee paul late work cartoon' and related expressions suggests an extraordinary dedication to his craft. This is a simplification however, as this period included works of great variety.
Notable Works
- The Niesen Mountain (1915)
- Twittering Machine (1922)
- Fish Magic (1925)
- Ad Parnassum (1932)
- Death and Fire (1940)
Legacy and Impact
Paul Klee's innovative approach to color, line, and form made him one of the most important artists of the 20th century. His work influenced Surrealism, Expressionism, and abstract art. His theoretical writings, particularly his Bauhaus lectures, have had a lasting impact on art education.