PAUL KLEE

by Felix Klee ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 17, 1962

A biography, written by the son of the late modern Swiss-German painter, this is distinguished by excerpts from the painter's diaries, a selection from his posthumous letters, and some 162 reproductions of the paintings, drawings and related photographs. As in the letters of Vincent Van Gogh, Klee's personality emerges multi-faceted:- a thoughtful and warm family map, whose life was integrated with his art; an espousing instructor and intellectual; an accomplished violinist who had begun early ""... to extract conclusions from music which are relevant to art"". Underlying his themes, i.e. music and the theatre, animals, humor and philosophy, physiognomy and war- is a primordial concept- man's great need is to achieve ""totality"" through ""multi-dimensional contact"" with reality. In Kee's work man to ""...not a species but a cosmic point"". The son further records Klee's struggle for Swiss citizenship, which was never granted; and views his background and growth through a dual viewpoint, that of father and son; assesses his teaching at the famous Bauhaus School with Felninger, Gropius, Moholy Nagy, and his special relationships with Franz Marc and Kandlinsky. Like Picasso, Klee's art has traveled the paths of Realism, Abstractionism and , and also like Picasso, be emerges as a compendium of these influences and styles, yet more than their sum. A personal tribute to the man and the artist, a study of an artist whose life was a dedication. The appendices include classification of his work.

Pub Date: Sept. 17, 1962

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Braziller

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1962

Categories: NONFICTION