Bewitched Landscape (1924 CE)

Paul Klee’s Grundverhexte Landschaft or Bewitched Landscape in English is a captivating pen and watercolor composition that transports viewers into a surreal, dreamlike landscape. Created during Klee’s influential Bauhaus period, this artwork blends delicate line work with translucent hues, evoking a fantastical world that resists literal interpretation. Its abstract forms and imaginative quality invite curiosity, hinting at deeper symbolic meanings, making it a compelling subject for art enthusiasts and scholars.

Completed in 1924, Bewitched Landscape emerged during Paul Klee’s tenure at the Bauhaus in Weimar, a pivotal center for modernist experimentation. Klee, a Swiss-German artist, was a key figure in the Bauhaus faculty, teaching form theory and exploring the intersection of expressionism, constructivism, and surrealism. The painting reflects the innovative spirit of the Bauhaus, where Klee developed his theories on art as a fusion of fantasy and form. Its creation coincides with Klee’s prolific output and growing recognition in the European art scene.

The painting’s early acquisition by collectors Ilse and Hermann Bode, directly from Klee, highlights its immediate appeal. Additionally, Klee’s playful yet profound approach to art during his Bauhaus years is reflected in the work’s title, which roughly translates to “Bewitched Landscape,” hinting at his whimsical yet enigmatic style. The painting’s frequent inclusion in exhibitions, starting in 1931 at the Kestner-Gesellschaft, underscores its enduring intrigue.

Bewitched Landscape holds a significant place within Klee’s oeuvre and the broader context of modernist art. As a product of his Bauhaus period, it exemplifies his philosophy of uniting fantasy with precise artistic means, as outlined in his 1924 lecture: “What then emerges from this activity, whether it be called dream, idea, or fantasy, is only to be taken seriously when it is completely united with the suitable artistic means for full formation.” The painting’s surreal, imaginary landscape aligns with Klee’s exploration of nature as a source of inspiration. Its possible erotic or evolutionary themes, though debated, add layers of interpretive depth, positioning it as a precursor to surrealism’s emphasis on the subconscious.

The artwork is executed in pen and watercolor on Ingres paper, measuring 28.5 x 32.5 cm (11.2 x 12.8 inches). The Ingres paper’s textured surface complements the delicate transparency of the watercolor and the precise linearity of the pen, creating a balance of organic and geometric forms. The painting is signed and titled by Klee in the lower right, dated, and marked with the work number “149” below the depiction. The combination of media allows for nuanced shading and intricate detailing, characteristic of Klee’s meticulous approach.

The artwork was acquired directly from Paul Klee by Ilse and Hermann Bode, collectors based in Hannover/Steinhude, Germany, during the artist’s lifetime. It is now part of a private German collection. The painting’s journey includes a significant auction at Ketterer Kunst in Munich in June, 2021, where it sold for €118,750, reflecting its enduring value.