Mess of fish 1940

Paul Klee made this artwork, ‘Mess of Fish,’ using oil transfer and watercolor on paper. The textures and effects are immediately apparent. See how Klee combined these very different materials? The oil transfer allows for a delicate but precise drawing in black. This is then set off against the looser, more atmospheric effects achieved by the watercolor. It’s a fascinating combination of control and chance, of line and wash. Look closely, and you will see the ways the artist has allowed the paper to subtly show through the thin washes of colour. This brings a sense of lightness, which contrasts with the heavy black lines. Klee had a deep interest in how different materials could interact, creating a complex interplay of effects. With materials like these, and an approach that brings graphic precision to a seemingly spontaneous composition, he challenges our idea of what drawing and painting can be.