The artwork titled “Oriental Architecture” was created by Paul Klee in 1929. It is a watercolor on paper, measured at 31.5 by 24.5 cm and is currently held in a private collection. Klee, a Swiss-German artist, was known for his unique style and was associated with the Cubist movement, which is reflected in this particular work. The genre of the piece is cityscape, and its composition and palette are indicative of Klee’s exploration of color theory and his innovative approach to abstraction.
Upon examination of the artwork, one can discern a series of geometric shapes and blocks of color that come together to represent the essence of a cityscape, likely inspired by the architecture found in Eastern cultures. The use of watercolor lends a softness to the delineation of forms, and the subtle gradations of color contribute to the sense of depth and dimensionality within the composition. The abstraction and simplification of forms, characteristic of Cubist influences, allow for a rhythmic play between flat pictorial space and the illusion of three-dimensional structures. The artwork is both an exploration of form and an interpretation of the architectural character found in oriental settings, achieved through Paul Klee’s signature abstracted visual language.
