Halme 1940

Paul Klee made this painting, Halme, using oil on paper. The shapes and marks are playful, right? I mean, the overall vibe is simple, but there is a rhythm of brushstrokes and a clear delight in the materiality of paint itself. The black lines feel so direct, like Klee was just going for it, letting the brush dance across the surface. I can almost feel the give and take, where a decision is made, and then altered. It makes me think about his process. Was he thinking about landscape, or figures, or just letting the forms emerge on their own? It's almost like doodling, but with a profound sense of purpose. You see so many artists riffing off Klee's ideas - the push and pull of flat shapes. Painters are always in conversation with each other, across time. What I love most about this piece is how Klee makes it look so easy, but you know it's not.