The Lamb (1920 CE)

The Lamb or originally (Das Lamm), created by Paul Klee in 1920, is a captivating oil painting that blends surrealism with spiritual symbolism. Featuring a stylized lamb with a cross on its head and a drop of blood on its cheek, set against a vibrant, abstract background, this artwork invites contemplation of sacrifice and innocence. Its interplay of geometric forms and vivid colors offers a glimpse into Klee’s unique artistic vision.

Created in the aftermath of World War I, “The Lamb” reflects the era’s emotional and spiritual turmoil. Paul Klee, a Swiss-German artist, painted this work during a period of personal and artistic maturation, having already been influenced by avant-garde movements like Der Blaue Reiter and Bauhaus. The painting, completed in 1920, emerged as Klee grappled with themes of human suffering and redemption, possibly inspired by his own wartime experiences. 

Klee’s deep interest in music provides intriguing context to his works. As a skilled violinist, Klee often likened his compositions to musical structures, and scholars suggest the painting’s rhythmic lines and polyphonic colors mimic a fugue’s harmony. Additionally, the work’s translucent quality has been compared to William Blake’s illuminated poetry, evoking stained glass and hinting at a shared fascination with innocence and sacrifice. These connections enrich the painting’s mystique.

The Lamb holds a significant place within surrealism, though it also draws from expressionism, cubism, and abstraction. The lamb, a potent Christian symbol of Jesus Christ as the Agnus Dei, embodies sacrifice and purity, with the cross and blood reinforcing this iconography. Yet Klee’s ambiguous spirituality allows broader interpretations, possibly reflecting on humanity’s collective suffering post-World War I. The painting’s abstract, cosmic background and geometric forms create a mystical ambiance, aligning with Klee’s aim to merge the visible with the symbolic. 

It is an oil painting with pen and ink on cardboard, measuring 41 x 31 cm (16.14 x 12.20 inches). Klee’s technique combines vibrant, multi-colored oils with precise ink lines, creating a structured yet dynamic composition. The palette features blues, reds, yellows, and greens, arranged in a fragmented, geometric pattern that radiates from the central lamb. This interplay of color and form, inspired by Klee’s musical sensibilities, produces a cohesive, contemplative effect. The painting’s modest scale enhances its intimate, reflective quality, inviting close inspection of its intricate details.

The provenance of The Lamb traces to its creation in 1920 and its eventual acquisition by the Städel Museum in Frankfurt. It is now part of the museum’s permanent collection, where it remains on display.