Baum und Architektur--Rhythmen (Tree and Architecture--Rhythms)

1920

Paul Klee

Associated Names
Paul Klee

Artist, Swiss, 1879 - 1940

This painting displays intersecting lines and block shapes creating an abstract scene. Rectangular grids and curved lines evoke buildings or architectural structures, with two tall shapes on the left and right appearing like tall towers or walls with pointed roofs, and a shape in the center looking like an arch or an opening across a pathway or bridge. These shapes have been painted with black outlines, but within those outlines and overlapping with them are circles of bright green, yellow, pink, red, and dark blue, with some white between the circles. The paint has been applied thickly, with wide, visible brushstrokes.

Media Options

This object’s media is free and in the public domain. Read our full Open Access policy for images.

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    oil on paper

  • Credit Line

    Gift of Benjamin and Lillian Hertzberg

  • Dimensions

    overall: 27.9 x 38.3 cm (11 x 15 1/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2004.140.41.a

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Helfenstein 2000, no. 2549

Associated Artworks

This painting shows an abstract composition with soft, overlapping shapes in pastel colors. Curved lines and irregular forms dominate the scene, with some shapes resembling branches or leaves. Grid-like structures and squares that look like a patchwork quilt are also present. The soft colors are in shades of pale green, purple, blue, pink, yellow, peach, and gray, with small cream-colored circles dotting the painting.

Baum und Architektur-Rhythmen (Tree and Architecture--Rhythms)

Paul Klee

1879


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Benjamin and Lilian Hertzberg, New York; gift to NGA, 2004.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1956

  • Paul Klee, Berner Kunstmuseum, 1956, no. 441.

Bibliography

1998

  • The Paul Klee Foundation. Paul Klee: Catalogue Raisonné. 9 vols. New York, 1998 - 2004: vol. 3, no. 2549.

Wikidata ID

Q64619071

You may be interested in

Loading Results