Impression of Klee Painting

The starting point for this painting is a 1925 photographic portrait of Paul Klee; in the photo Klee looks fragile, sombre and tired in contrast to the child-like quality and humour of his artworks. I made the painting simply using two colours and white. The choice of burnt umber and cadmium red, perhaps representative of bodily fluids or humors. I also had in mind the elements of fire and earth in response to the news cycle of 2022 which was dominated by the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the destruction which continues. I haven't gone out of my way to create an accurate likeness of Paul Klee, more an impression as my title suggests. I've enlarged the size of his eyes and reduced the width of his shoulders to emphasise child-like qualities which are absent in the photographic portrait I was looking at. The abstract motif in the right hand corner of the picture is based on geometric forms from Klee's 1930 painting: Hovering (About To Take Off). As the painting evolved it occurred to me that the form resembles a sticking plaster. I figured if there's a plaster there needs to be a wound, so the scar was added to his forehead. Of course as well as being an artist and musician Klee was also a soldier which takes us back to the underlying theme of war.

Painting:Acrylic on Canvas

Original:One-of-a-kind Artwork

Size:11.8 W x 11.8 H x 0.8 D in

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