Necropolis 1929

Paul Klee made this painting, called Necropolis, sometime in his career, using oil on canvas. It’s a stack of horizontal bands in earthy colors, like browns, grays, and muted reds, all layered to create a kind of architectural landscape. What strikes me is how Klee balances precision with improvisation. Each stripe has its own texture and tone; some are almost translucent, while others feel denser. And that one little triangle in the bottom left corner, colored in a soft, almost apologetic pink, it's like a secret, a tiny burst of vulnerability. The painting reminds me of Agnes Martin's grids, but with a twist of melancholy. Both artists explore structure and repetition, yet Klee's touch is looser, more intuitive. Maybe it’s the title, but there’s something about the painting that feels both ancient and deeply personal, like Klee is mapping out not just a city but an inner world.