Paul Klee: Life and Work

by Boris Friedewald

This beautiful and affordable volume offers high-quality reproductions and the latest biographical information on Paul Klee, who helped pave the way for Modernism. Readers of this book will find much to discover and relish in Paul Klee's art. Several lavish reproductions of his iconic works, as well as those that are more rarely exhibited, are featured alongside in-depth biographical information that looks beyond his many artistic achievements to explore the life and times of the man himself. Never-before-published photographs of Klee and his circle, as well as entertaining and enlightening anecdotes, offer a multifaceted perspective on a groundbreaking artist and the events that helped shape his colorful, imaginative work.

Genres: Art, Art History, Nonfiction

192 pages, Paperback

First published June 20, 2011

Reviews

[Kerfe · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Should everything be known after all? Ah, I think not."
--Paul Klee, inscribed on his last untitled painting

Friedewald recounts Klee's life, the pull between music and art, his long and meandering journey to an artistic vision, the Bauhaus years, and then his final years in Switzerland, fighting a chronic auto-immune disorder, a "degenerate artist" force to flee Germany and the Nazis.

The narrative is straightforward and unembellished; what makes the book special are the quotes from Klee and the reproductions of his work, many of which I had never seen before, paired in a mostly chronological synchronicity with the events of his life. The result is a very clear representation of both the breadth of his artisitic explorations and the ways they incorporated what had gone before.

Klee never got stuck in being "Klee" and continued to renew his vision until the final work. Because so many of the same images are used to exemplify Klee over and over in discussions of his artistic legacy, my interest in him had diminished. Friedewald's book refreshed my own perceptions and increased my respect for both Klee and his art.

[Gareth Schweitzer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A beautiful book with lovely images.

I was however overwhelmed by the the structure of the book, as the text is liberally interspersed with images, quotes and detailed descriptions of pictures, which made getting a handle on basic narrative a struggle...in this it felt fragmented and I kept getting distracted, lost and sometimes frustrated.

Will revisit with focus as there is still lots to discover.

[Todd Meigs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring overview of this unique artist. I’m most impressed by his diversity of style; his lined figures, abstract colors, and fields of “secret symbols” all have an indelible power. A thoughtful narrative and a good number of reproductions for the price.

[Molsa Roja(s) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book, a true voyage through Klee's life and art, with an special emphasis on how they are articulated. It was great for getting to know who Klee as a person was, and even if there wasn't much analysis of his work one has a feeling to be much more ready for it than before. Outstanding.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m evaluating this book for its pictures. Lots of color reproductions. I would have liked to see more full-page images or details of images. Many artworks are represented though, which is awesome, including The Goldfish, which is the one I was looking for.

[Ron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good overall coverage of person and his works.
Made me want to investigate his life and works in more detail.

[Hugh Murphy · Rating 3 out of 5]

decent, good quality art

[Jet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent!