New Angel 1920

Paul Klee created this striking work, "New Angel," employing ink and watercolor, giving rise to a figure that embodies more than celestial benevolence. Note the angel's wild, scroll-like hair, reminiscent of ancient texts and the untamed energy of creation. The wide, startled eyes and outstretched arms are a plea or a warning. Think of the Winged Victory of Samothrace, her wings thrust back, embodying triumph. Yet, here, the angel appears burdened, even frightened, not soaring but stumbling into the future. Angels are traditionally messengers of hope, but Klee's "New Angel" seems to bear the weight of the world's sorrow, mirroring the anxieties of a Europe on the brink of upheaval. Consider this angel not as a divine herald but as a symbol of humanity's struggle, carrying the burdens of the past into an uncertain future. The image invites contemplation, a reminder of our collective memory and the cyclical nature of history, where images resurface, evolve, and gain new meaning in different contexts.