Ancient Sound 1925

Paul Klee’s ‘Ancient Sound’ is a painting of small squares, a mosaic of earthy tones that hum with quiet energy. Klee really understood artmaking as a process, a back and forth between intention and accident. The material quality of this painting is striking. Look at the way the colors are built up, block by block. The surface is rough, almost like stucco. It's hard to tell exactly what tools Klee used, but you can sense the directness of his touch. Notice that one yellowish block near the middle? It just glows, doesn't it? The way the light catches the texture makes it seem to vibrate. Klee's work always reminds me of Joan Miró, another artist who knew how to make serious art that was also playful and inventive. And just like with Miró, there's something about Klee that defies easy explanation. It’s a conversation, and we’re invited to listen.