The artwork titled “Harbour with sailing ships” is a creation by artist Paul Klee from the year 1937. Executed in oil on canvas, the piece measures 60 by 80 centimeters and can be classified within the marina genre. As an expression of the Cubism movement, the work is currently housed at the Georges Pompidou Center in Paris, France.
The artwork portrays an abstract scene that suggests the presence of sailing ships within a harbor environment. Klee’s use of oil paint imbues the piece with a textural quality, while his employment of Cubist principles is evident in the geometric simplification of the ships and the surrounding harbor space. The color palette is subtle yet diverse, with interplays of muted blues, purples, pinks, and hints of other hues, implying reflections, shadows, and the dimensionality of space. The arrangement of forms and the division of the canvas into planes suggest a layered perspective, with some elements appearing to recede into the distance, while others assert their presence in the foreground. The abstract representation challenges viewers to interpret the scene through the lens of their own imagination, creating a dynamic interaction between the artwork and its audience.