The artwork entitled “Magdalena before the conversion” is a portrait by artist Paul Klee, created in the year 1938. Fashioned using the medium of gouache on paper, the piece is an exemplar of the Expressionism movement. The genre of this work is a portrait, reflecting the artist’s stylistic interpretation rather than a literal representation.
The artwork portrays an abstract, somewhat childlike depiction of a figure, which we may infer to be Magdalena. The figure’s face is simplified to basic geometric shapes, consisting of circles for eyes and a single line for the nose, all rendered in a palette of purples and pinks. The facial features suggest a state of contemplation or inward focus.
The figure’s hair, executed in bold yellow, flows into the shoulder line, creating a unity between the figure and its surroundings. The clothing or bodily form of Magdalena is painted in shades of yellow and blue, with visible brushstrokes adding texture and depth to the artwork. Paul Klee’s use of vibrant colors and bold, imperfect shapes are characteristic of his unique style, which often blended elements of Surrealism, Cubism, and Futurism with his Expressionist approach.
In the surrounding background, there are various patterns and shapes that create a sense of a non-representational landscape or environment in which the figure of Magdalena exists. One can notice a part of the background with reddish spots, and another area with yellowish marks that seem to represent a celestial body, further emphasizing the abstract and symbolic nature of the work.
