The artwork “With the Setting Sun” was created by Paul Klee in 1919 and is a representative piece of the Expressionism movement. This particular genre of the artwork is a cityscape, and it is part of the Felix Klee Collection located in Bern, Switzerland. The piece is recognized for its stylistic depiction of an urban environment during the transformative lighting conditions of sunset.
Upon examining the artwork, one can observe a variety of bold colors and geometric shapes interwoven to form a somewhat abstract portrayal of a town or city as it might be seen under the waning light of dusk. The centrally placed circular form in vibrant red, evokes the notion of the setting sun, from which the artwork derives its name. Surrounding this dominant motif are what appear to be stylized buildings and elements of a landscape, crafted from a collage of varied hues and forms with a distinct emphasis on rhythm and composition rather than realistic representation. The juxtaposition of shapes and colors suggest a bustling yet harmonious urban scene, resonating with the emotional and psychological undertones typical of the Expressionism movement. The somewhat muted tones alongside the brighter accents indicate an interplay between the ordinary and the extraordinary, characteristic of Klee’s experimental and symbolic approach to art.
