The artwork titled “Fish Magic” is a creation by the artist Paul Klee, dating back to 1925. This piece is executed on panel and falls within the Expressionism movement. It has dimensions of 98.4 x 77.1 cm and is classified as a symbolic painting. Currently, “Fish Magic” is housed at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, located in Philadelphia, PA, USA.
“Fish Magic” is characterized by a dream-like tableau filled with various symbolic elements that seem to float against a dark background. The artwork presents a tapestry of celestial and underwater motifs, whereby fish of various sizes and colors occupy the central region, and celestial bodies, including a moon and stars, dot the upper spectrum of the painting. There is a sense of enchantment and mystical qualities present, emphasized by the juxtaposition of terrestrial and aquatic elements, as well as the confluence of real and imaginary domains.
Numerous geometric forms and lines add a structural harmony to the scene, while the delicate renderings of flowers and the ethereal presence of a clock-face add layers of meaning, likely alluding to the passage of time and the fleeting nature of life. At the bottom left, a humanoid figure with a pensive expression interacts with the surrounding pictorial space, perhaps inviting viewers to immerse themselves in the fantastical world constructed by the artist. The use of color is subdued yet purposeful, allowing each element within the artwork to resonate with a sense of purpose and contribute to the overall narrative Klee has woven.
