Beauty is as relative as light and dark. Thus, there exists no beautiful woman, none at all, because you are never certain that a still far more beautiful woman will not appear and completely shame the supposed beauty of the first. (Paul Klee)
To emphasize only the beautiful seems to me to be like a mathematical system that only concerns itself with positive numbers. (Paul Klee)
The art of mastering life is the prerequisite for all further forms of expression, whether they are paintings, sculptures, tragedies, or musical compositions. (Paul Klee)
In the final analysis, a drawing simply is no longer a drawing, no matter how self-sufficient its execution may be. It is a symbol, and the more profoundly the imaginary lines of projection meet higher dimensions, the better. (Paul Klee)
Color possesses me. I don’t have to pursue it. It will possess me always, I know it. That is the meaning of this happy hour: Color and I are one. I am a painter. (Paul Klee)
Everything vanishes around me, and works are born as if out of the void. Ripe, graphic fruits fall off. My hand has become the obedient instrument of a remote will. (Paul Klee)
I love this post, have a nice weekend, KleesButterfly
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Butterfly,
Your appreciation of this post is quite understandable.
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🙂
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Lovely Frank! I am particularly fond of the earlier work of Klee especially when he was experimenting with lines and squares and light. Once he hit the 30’s he lost me a bit – it was a time in history that was a bit dark and bleak I guess….. Love the quotes!
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Pauline,
True confessions … I never heard of Klee until Marina mentioned him in an earlier Explore … then I found this and knew I had to use it. Thanks for a bit more info.
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Love it, love it, love it! I knew of Klee but had not seen many of his art pieces. And the quotes are terrific. Thanks.
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Patti,
Glad you enjoy this. For me, the music and the quick transition between images help make it. … well, besides appreciating the work.
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Thanks, Frank. You’ve given me a new appreciation for Klee. I know the Philadelphia Museum of Art has several of his works, but I’m not that familiar with his paintings.
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Merril,
You’ve got me wondering if the Cincinnati Art Museum has any Klee.
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You can probably search their Web site.
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It appears not sure. 😦
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Ah…you’ve made my day!!!!
Thank you, my friend!
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Marina,
😀 … but this post is because of you. During a previous Explore (possibly Dali), you mentioned Klee. I never heard of him, discovered this video during the research … and knowing I like his work, I had to use it … so Thank YOU!
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🙂 🙂 I fell in love with his work as soon as I saw it!!! ….you really made my day – so thank you back!!!! 😉
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Other than some French Impressionists (thanks to my high school and college French), I know little about art. So thank you for this introduction to Klee. I see he uses fish a few times. I wonder if that’s symbolic to him. Then again, I’m sure it is. I would imagine most things are symbolic to artists.
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Carrie,
A wonderful comment that I can relate to … I don’t know many artists, and Marina mentioned him once, so I searched to discover this. I really like his work, so I knew I had to use the video.
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I believe this is my favourite post from you.
FYI I still have no laptop, waiting for the okay for a total replacement. Still sad and feeling lost.
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Catherine,
Glad you enjoy Mr. Klee’s work .. me too … bummer on the continued laptop woes. Be patient.
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Many works remind me of quilts.
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Jim,
I can see that.
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I am adding this video to my list to show my students next year Frank. I think they would enjoy it.
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Colline,
Wow … validation of a good find. 🙂
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Beautiful post, Frank!
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Kelly,
Glad you enjoyed a touch of Klee. Did you know of him?
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Hi Frank! Yes, through my daughter who is very artistic. She has a print of his of a cat – can’t remember the name, but it’s a cubism style of painting. Very colorful and beautiful.
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Cheers to your daughter’s talent.
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Thanks Frank! She inspires me 🙂
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Fabulous and intriguing artwork, Frank. My little granddaughter would love the cat face. She just painted one at her first art lesson. 🙂
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Sylvia,
Wow … your family has the art gene! Cheers to your appreciation of Klee.
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I enjoyed listening to the background music on your video along with seeing Paul Klee’s paintings. My favorite quote is: “To emphasize only the beautiful seems to me to be like a mathematical system that only concerns itself with positive numbers.” I think it applies to “Seven Studies on Themes of Paul Klee” by German composer Gunther Schuller, which depicts seven of Paul Klee’s paintings. Here’s “The Twittering Machine” from that 1959 orchestral composition. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8VIdZWqk-o
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Tim,
The music in the video I used was definitely different than Schuller’s, which I did not enjoy. Nonetheless, glad you appreciated Klee.
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Most interesting. I too was unaware of Klee, my education being bereft of art. He clearly has a unique mastery of color and shape although I am unable to define or describe it very well. It’s just pleasing. It’s remarkable that his works are so much alike and yet all different. Some of his figures are childlike and I like those less.
I find the abstract color patterns do not become as readily familiar as do more realistic paintings, but rather reveal subtleties over time. We have a framed print over our bed that is similar to his work and I’m wondering now if it’s his. If not, it was probably influenced by him. It was intended to be in portrait orientation but it looks just as good in landscape. Most of Klee’s work seems to be unsigned.
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Jim,
I’m not sure about Klee’s signature, but I understand what you mentioned about the subtleties of abstract art.
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So enjoyed the quotes of Paul Klee and then to finish it with the video was a great way to start my weekend Frank. Much enjoyed this artistic expression ~ have a colorful day.
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Mary,
I was confident you would appreciate this post! 🙂
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How did you know Frank?! So funny ~
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Well … simply based on the vivid colors and wonderful music.
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If I had to pick one artist as my all-time favorite (of course that would be impossible) but if forced to do it, I would choose Paul Klee. He was a great influence during my days when learning about drawing as he counseled: “Take a line for a walk.” The video was especially nice with that music from Puccini’s “Madame Butterfly.” Thanks, Frank.
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P.S. I think Gunther Schuller should stick to what he knows about.
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Cynthia,
Thanks for the high praise of this post. Your appreciation of Paul Klee’s work is well noted … and to think I never heard of him until a few months ago.
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I know how it is to be possessed by color. Great collection of quotes. I never have heard of Klee until now. Interesting style.
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Indigo,
Until several months ago, I never heard of Paul Klee. Then again, I don’t claim to know much about artists. Nonetheless, I enjoy his style.
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Sending thoughts your way Frank.. Enjoy your weekend..
Sue 🙂
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Sue,
And cheers to you as well!
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¨Beauty is as relative as light and dark¨…. That statement by Klee reminded me of a classic motto during Greek ancient times: ¨Beauty is in the Eye of the beholder¨.. It appears in Aristotle´s ¨Poetics¨, if I am not mistaken!… Happy weekend and all the best to you, dear Frank! Aquileana ⭐
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Aquileana,
Aristotle’s quote is so true to art. Let’s face it, not all art forms appeals to each of us ….. so did you enjoy (as a whole) Klee’s art?
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I absolutely enjoyed your post dear Frank… I think I still have Klee’s book on his theory of Art!… Thanks for the reminder. I might check it out soon!… Happy week ahead! Love. Aquileana 😀
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Wonderful!
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Klee is new to me.
Thanks for lifting that rock that I’ve been hiding under.
good stuff!
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RoSy,
Ha ha …. and I didn’t know him until Dec/Jan … and good stuff indeed.
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I don’t feel so bad now. LOL 😉
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Beautiful Frank, I love this.
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Val,
I suspected you would appreciate Paul Klee’s artistry.
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