Hutment 1932

Paul Klee made "Hutment" with oil transfer and watercolor on paper, laid on cardboard. The artwork depicts an architectural structure, resembling an abstract building facade or a wall made of bricks. Klee has an idiosyncratic approach to materials, using the oil transfer technique, which involves applying a layer of oil paint to a sheet of paper, placing the paper on top of the final support material, and then tracing a design onto the back of the paper. This transfers the oil paint onto the support, creating a unique textured surface. Here, the textured surface is combined with watercolor washes to create a layered, transparent effect, suggesting the rough surfaces of vernacular brickwork. Klee's exploration of materials and his innovative application of techniques is what makes his approach so unique. By understanding the materials and processes used, we can gain insight into the artist's vision and challenge traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.