The artwork titled “Red and White Domes” is a creation by Paul Klee dating back to 1940. This watercolor on vellum represents a cityscape rendered in the cubist style. The piece is relatively modest in size, measuring 14.6 cm by 13.7 cm, and is currently housed in the Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen, located in Düsseldorf, Germany.
Upon observing the artwork, one is immediately drawn to the interplay of warm, earthy shades juxtaposed with segments of cooler tones. Klee’s cubist approach is evident in the geometric division of space, where the cityscape is abstracted into a series of shapes and forms. Domes and arches are referenced through soft curves and semicircular forms, contrasting with the sharper, rectilinear elements that structure the composition. Consistent with Klee’s trademark style, there is a playful, yet meticulously calculated, deployment of color and form that seems to dance between figuration and abstraction, inviting viewers to decipher the depicted cityscape while also engaging with the piece on a purely aesthetic, compositional level. The surface texture, a result of the vellum support and watercolor medium, imparts a delicate translucency and contributes to the overall dreamlike quality of the scene. Klee’s signature is discernible in the upper left, adding a personal touch that confirms the artist’s connection to his work.
