Paul Klee

For Klee, color represented optimism and nobility, a relief from the pessimistic nature of his early black-and-white satires. After traveling to Italy, mastering color became his lifelong quest.¹

Born to musicians, Klee was a talented violinist invited to play in an orchestra at age 11. This musical background deeply influenced his unique painting style, emphasizing rhythm and harmony.¹

From 1897 to 1918, Klee kept a detailed diary of his life and artistic thoughts. These diaries provide scholars with invaluable insight into his complex thinking and the context of his work.¹

While a natural draftsman, young Klee struggled with color, once fearing he might never learn to paint. This struggle eventually led to his extensive and profound exploration of color theory.¹

Between 1903 and 1905, Klee completed 'Inventions', a cycle of 11 etchings featuring grotesque characters. These were his first exhibited works, showcasing his early satirical wit.¹

Around 1905, Klee developed an experimental technique of drawing with a needle on blackened glass, producing over 50 works including a portrait of his father, showing his dedication to line.¹

After marrying pianist Lily Stumpf, Klee spent several years as a stay-at-home father and homemaker while his wife gave piano lessons to support the family, allowing him to focus on his art.¹

In 1911, Klee met Wassily Kandinsky and joined 'Der Blaue Reiter'. He deeply trusted Kandinsky's lucid mind, and the two became lifelong friends and colleagues at the Bauhaus.¹

Klee's Bauhaus lectures, 'Paul Klee Notebooks', are considered as vital to modern art as Da Vinci's treatise was to the Renaissance, as he sought to theorize artistic form and design.¹