With the Setting Sun 1919

Paul Klee painted "With the Setting Sun" using oil and watercolor; what I like is how he built up translucent layers to create a luminous effect, like light shining through stained glass. The surface has a textured quality, perhaps from the paper beneath, or maybe Klee intentionally added grit to the paint. I imagine him layering thin washes, letting each dry before adding another, almost like a meditative process. The colors are muted, with greens, blues, and grays dominating, yet punctuated by that vibrant red circle—the sun—a focal point that pulls you in. Notice how the arrow descends from it; it is an elegant detail that complicates any sentimental reading of the piece. It reminds me of Agnes Martin's subtle use of color and line, but with a playful twist that is uniquely Klee. His work suggests that art can be both deeply felt and endlessly open to interpretation.