“Flower Myth” is an artwork created by the artist Paul Klee in 1918, a period during which he was associated with the Expressionist movement. This flower painting is part of the Sprengel Museum’s collection in Hanover, Germany. The genre implies an exploration of botanical themes possibly infused with a personal or symbolic narrative as suggested by the title “Flower Myth.”
The artwork presents a vibrant and fantastical composition dominated by a bold red background, with a palette that also includes blues, blacks, and whites. The central motif appears to be a stylized floral form, predominant in the lower center of the composition, rendered with a simplicity that eschews detail in favor of abstract representation. Surrounding this central form are various other elements that seem to dance around it: vegetal figures that may represent trees or plants, and abstract shapes that might signify celestial bodies like moons and stars.
Furthermore, the presence of what appears to be a butterfly or moth near the top, adorned with intricate patterns, imbues the scene with an air of whimsy and further connects the artwork to the natural world. Klee’s use of color and form in this piece reflects the experimental and expressive nature of his work during this phase of his career, encapsulating the spirit of innovation that characterized much of his oeuvre. The composition has a dreamlike quality, suggesting a narrative or allegory that is open to interpretation, inviting the viewer to engage with the “myth” it proposes.
