Paul Klee

Background

Inspired by the movements of expressionism and cubism, Paul Klee had a different outlook on art and wanted to explore the different ways in which he could express himself in his work. Born on December 18, 1879, Klee was the son of a music teacher and singer and was exposed to music at an early age. The youngest of two, he tried his hand at the violin while in primary school, and with the encouragement of his parents, he soon became so good at the instrument that he was invited to prestigious events to perform for large crowds of people. He kept a good record of his creations and notes, which are still referred to today.

Klee studied humanities and moved on to the Academy of Fine Arts to pursue art as a field of study. He met his wife Lily Stumpf, a pianist, in 1899, and they wed in 1906. His travels exposed him to more landscapes, colors, and patterns, enabling him to expand his knowledge and strengthen his pencil skill. He studied various forms of art as well as the artists that came before him. He became affiliated with some prominent artists who were part of Der Blaue Reiter, a group of artists united against Neue Künstlervereinigung München. Among the members was the famous Russian painter Wassily Kandinsky, who was the founder of the group as well as Klee’s neighbor. He later joined the collective as a member of the editorial team.

He was drafted to serve in the military when World War I began, and within the following years, his work received praise from critics and art enthusiasts — and also sold well. He began teaching at the Staatliches Bauhaus, an art school in Germany, during the 1920s and shared his knowledge through his Pedagogical Sketchbook. He created just shy of 10,000 art pieces and is regarded as one of the most inspired and influential artists of his time.