Magdalena before the conversion 1938

Paul Klee made this painting, *Magdalena before the conversion*, using oil transfer and colored paste. The painting feels spontaneous, like Klee was working quickly and intuitively, trying to capture a fleeting image or idea. The color palette is whimsical, light pinks and yellows with touches of green and red, that create a dreamlike atmosphere. I wonder what Klee was thinking as he made this, what if the the red dots are her sins, and the bright green blob next to her a representation of the new life? You can see the layering and texture of the paint, especially in Magdalena's yellow boots, and the way Klee uses color to define form and space. This reminds me of the way I approach my own paintings, working in layers and allowing the image to emerge gradually. Klee’s willingness to play with form and color is a constant source of inspiration. It reminds me that painting is a conversation across time, an exchange of ideas and inspiration between artists. It is through this process that painting becomes a form of embodied expression, embracing ambiguity and uncertainty.