Who painted Variations (Progressive Motif)?

Variations (Progressive Motif) was painted by Paul Klee in 1927-01-01.

Where can I see Variations (Progressive Motif)?

Variations (Progressive Motif) is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Variations (Progressive Motif)?

Variations (Progressive Motif) is associated with Bauhaus.

Can I buy a print of Variations (Progressive Motif)?

Museum-quality prints of Variations (Progressive Motif) are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Variations (Progressive Motif)

Paul Klee , 1927

Variations (Progressive Motif) is an oil painting by the Bauhaus artist Paul Klee. It dates from 1927 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Technique & Style

6 cm in height and 40 cm in width, a square format that frames the progressive motif.

Paul Klee created Variations (Progressive Motif) in 1927 as an abstract painting. The work is executed in oil and watercolor on a canvas support, a combination allowing both the structural definition of oil and the translucent layering characteristic of watercolor. The piece measures 40.6 cm in height and 40 cm in width, a square format that frames the progressive motif.

Stylistically, the artwork is classified within the genre of abstract art, focusing on non-representational forms rather than depicting specific subjects from the natural world.

History & Provenance

Paul Klee painted Variations (Progressive Motif) in 1927 in oil and watercolor on canvas; it measures 40.6 cm in height and 40 cm in width. Its ownership history includes Rudolf Probst, Galerie Louise Leiris, Galerie Berggruen, and Heinz Berggruen, before it entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, where it remains. The available sources do not list a specific accession number or a record of exhibitions for the piece.

Legacy

The 1927 painting Variations (Progressive Motif) exemplifies Paul Klee's mature abstract language, combining oil and watercolor on canvas. Its passage through notable dealers, including Galerie Berggruen and Heinz Berggruen, and its inclusion in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art have helped secure its place within Klee's oeuvre and the broader narrative of early twentieth-century abstraction.

Overview

Paul Klee, a German artist of Swiss origin, created Variations (Progressive Motif) in 1927 using oil paint. This work exemplifies his commitment to abstraction and his methodical exploration of color and form. The painting reflects Klee's experimental spirit and his engagement with the principles of the Bauhaus movement, where he was a prominent figure. It represents a key moment in his ongoing investigation into the visual language of modern art.

Context

Created during his tenure at the Bauhaus, Variations (Progressive Motif) demonstrates Klee's profound engagement with the school's emphasis on geometric abstraction and color theory. His individual artistic vocabulary synthesized elements from Expressionism, Cubism, and Surrealism, integrating these diverse influences into a unique system. Klee's theoretical writings on design and art pedagogy, developed during this period, continue to inform modern art discourse and education.