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Abstract Trio

Paul Klee German, born Switzerland
1923
Not on view
This work provides a lesson in one's susceptibility to Klee's evocative titles. The artist copied the image of this watercolor from a smaller pencil drawing, which he called "Theater of Masks." Thus one looks for masks—albeit abstract ones—in the drawing. But in the watercolor, these same three sprightly forms might represent as well the abstract sound patterns of three voices or three instruments. An accomplished violinist himself, music played a great role in Klee's life. His favorite composers were Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven. His passion for music is reflected in the titles of some of his works. According to his son Felix, of the 9,146 works Klee recorded in his oeuvre catalogue, more than 500 refer to the theater, masks, or music.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Abstract Trio
  • Artist: Paul Klee (German (born Switzerland), Münchenbuchsee 1879–1940 Muralto-Locarno)
  • Date: 1923
  • Medium: Watercolor and transferred matte black paint with opaque watercolor and black ink on paper mounted on board
  • Dimensions: 18 7/8 × 25 3/8 in. (47.9 × 64.5 cm)
  • Classification: Drawings
  • Credit Line: The Berggruen Klee Collection, 1984
  • Object Number: 1984.315.36
  • Rights and Reproduction: © 2025 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
  • Curatorial Department: Modern and Contemporary Art

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The Bauhaus Portfolio: New European Graphics III
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The Saint of the Inner Light (Die Helige vom inner Licht), Paul Klee German, born Switzerland, Lithograph with brown background
The Saint of the Inner Light (Die Helige vom inner Licht)
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Hoffmannesque Scene (Hofmanneske Szene), Paul Klee German, born Switzerland, Lithograph in gold, maroon, brown and black
Hoffmannesque Scene (Hofmanneske Szene)
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