Under a black star 1918

Paul Klee made Under a Black Star with oil on loosely woven gauze, likely during the rise of the Nazi party in Germany. The coarse fabric support plays a crucial role here. Klee has allowed the texture to peek through his application of paint, creating a sense of unease. The combination of materials—delicate color with aggressive, dark figures—suggests a world threatened by unseen forces. The gauze-like material could be a metaphor for the delicate balance of society, easily torn or disrupted. There’s a raw, handmade quality to the work. This wasn't a slick operation; Klee was working modestly. But don’t let that fool you: there is a dark and complex commentary at play here, which invites us to consider how even humble materials can be used to reflect the weight of our world.