Paul Klee

Biography

Paul Klee was born on December 18, 1879, in Münchenbuchsee. He was a German and Swiss painter, graphic artist, and art theorist who had a significant impact on the development of the European avant-garde. Early in his career, Klee was an expressionist and experienced substantial influence from constructivism, cubism, primitivism, and surrealism. He closely collaborated with the Blue Rider group, with his graphic works displayed at the group's second 'Black and White' exhibition in 1912. Until 1914, he primarily worked in graphic arts. A turning point in his work came after a trip to Tunisia with August Macke and Louis Moilliet, after which he began to focus predominantly on painting. Klee represented various art movements including expressionism, surrealism, pointillism, Bauhaus, and color field painting. Besides being a painter and graphic artist, he was also an architectural draftsman, lithographer, designer, engraver, draftsman, university lecturer, and art activist. Paul Klee died in 1940.