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On a Touch of Klee

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)

54 thoughts on “On a Touch of Klee”

  2. 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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  7. 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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  13. 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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  14. 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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  15. 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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  16. 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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  19. ¨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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