Artwork
Oriental Pleasure Garden

Oriental Pleasure Garden is an oil painting by the Art Nouveau artist Paul Klee. It dates from 1925 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Technique & Style
Classified as a landscape painting, the piece is characterized by its abstract depiction of the subject matter rather than realistic representation.
Created in 1925, Oriental Pleasure Garden by Paul Klee is executed in oil paint applied to a cardboard support. The work measures 41.1 cm in height and 52.1 cm in width. Classified as a landscape painting, the piece is characterized by its abstract depiction of the subject matter rather than realistic representation. This combination of oil on cardboard reflects Klee's experimental approach to materials during this period.
History & Provenance
Paul Klee created the oil painting Oriental Pleasure Garden in 1925, executed in oil on a cardboard support and measuring 41.1 by 52.1 centimeters. Its ownership history traces a path through several private collectors and dealers before reaching its current home: it was formerly in the possession of Heinrich Kirchhoff, Woty Werner, and Theodor Werner, and passed through Marlborough Fine Art, Sidney Janis, Galerie Berggruen, and Stephen Hahn before entering the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Overview
Paul Klee created Oriental Pleasure Garden in 1925, an oil painting that exemplifies his distinctive approach to abstraction. This work presents a vibrant, imagined landscape, reflecting Klee's ongoing exploration of color theory and formal composition. The painting is part of the collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, showcasing a blend of artistic influences characteristic of his career.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a fantastical landscape, where architectural elements and flora are rendered with a dreamlike quality rather than strict realism. Houses and trees appear in forms that suggest their essence rather than their literal appearance, contributing to the "pleasure garden" theme implied by the title. This abstracted vision invites viewers into a colorful, imagined realm, characteristic of Klee's departure from conventional representation.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Paul Klee (German:; 18 December 1879 – 29 June 1940) was a Swiss-born German artist.

















