Still Life

Paul Klee

1927 · Oil on gypsum construction · Modern and Contemporary Art

Klee must have liked this work because, as he did in such cases, he underlined its title when he recorded it in his work catalogue. As in a playful exercise to show that "less is more," Klee simplified forms and used only primary colors and their complementaries. The cone, goblet, half lemon, pitcher, cut onion, piece of paper, Easter egg and cup, and chalice and dice showing the figure three are arranged equally distant from each other as upon a stage. The painted pattern of the lacy curtains seems incised with a sharp instrument into the uneven, dark red, crusty surface. One might be looking at a picture painted on mat stone. In fact, Klee painted this work on a thick slab of gypsum that he had reinforced with chicken wire and then encased in a deep wooden frame.

Artist

Paul Klee

Date

1927

Medium

Oil on gypsum construction

Department

Modern and Contemporary Art

Credit line

The Berggruen Klee Collection, 1984