Artwork
Verhexte Tiere (Bewitched Animals)
Verhexte Tiere (Bewitched Animals) is a graphite drawing by Paul Klee. It dates from 1922 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:lower center in graphite: 1922 8/72; lower left in brown ink: 1922/96; lower right in brown ink: Klee / Verhexte Tiere
About this work
Overview
Verhexte Tiere (Bewitched Animals) is a 1922 drawing by Paul Klee, created with graphite on paper mounted on its original support.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts four fantastical creatures with distorted forms, including a horse-like figure with an oversized ear and a crawling being with a hat. The animals' unnatural appearance suggests a playful yet unsettling quality.
Technique & Style
Klee's use of light, wavering lines gives the drawing a doodle-like quality, reflecting his emphasis on experimentation with form and visual composition.
Context
This work exemplifies Klee's eclectic style, which drew on various early 20th-century art movements, including expressionism, cubism, and surrealism, while showcasing his unique approach to drawing and color theory.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Paul Klee (German:; 18 December 1879 – 29 June 1940) was a Swiss-born German artist.
