Author Description

Fitting Paul Klee's extraordinary oeuvre into book form is certainly a complex endeavor--Klee's diverse body of work is always opening itself up to new interpretations, and has escaped classification under the aegis of any particular style, group, or movement. This monograph achieves this feat by offering Klee in all his uniqueness, never attempting to subject the artist and his work to one interpretation. Here we see Klee's organically developed and open-ended art, which sought inspiration everywhere and in turn inspired so many in all areas of the arts. Fairytale lyricism and grotesque satire, tender jesting and very real horror, profound mysticism and sober romanticism all coexist in Klee's images. These works radiate a variety and creative energy that is rarely seen in such profusion. Paul Klee: Life and Work presents a comprehensive selection of paintings and other images, documented in nearly 500 color and black-and-white images, alongside essays that explore the artist's life and offer surprising insights into his work.