Alter Dampfer (Old Steamboat)

Alter Dampfer (Old Steamboat), created by Paul Klee in 1922, is a remarkable example of the artist’s inventive approach to mixed media composition. Classified as a drawing, the work utilizes the highly specific technique of oil transfer drawing combined with delicate watercolor application on laid paper. This complex method allowed Klee to achieve crisp, graphic lines characteristic of his style, subsequently enhanced by transparent washes of color. The piece is further preserved on Klee’s original mount, emphasizing the artist’s meticulous attention to presentation and framing.

Dating to the early 1920s, this work places Klee firmly within the fertile artistic landscape that developed after World War I, corresponding closely to the significant period defined as 1901 to 1925. Klee was teaching at the revolutionary Bauhaus school during this time, and his prolific exploration of linear forms and abstract representation reached a peak. The subject matter, a steamboat, is rendered through Klee’s signature use of simple, childlike geometric shapes and a balanced, delicate color palette, transforming a common machine into a whimsical, almost symbolic figure moving across the water.

The Swiss artist’s rigorous experimentation with materials and his profound influence on subsequent generations of Modernists make this piece essential to understanding 20th-century art. Klee’s ability to merge technical innovation with deeply personal imagery cemented his place among the era’s most crucial figures. This highly refined drawing is held in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art. Due to its historical importance and the subsequent expiration of certain copyrights, the image of Alter Dampfer (Old Steamboat) is widely available, frequently reproduced in publications and offered as high-quality prints accessible through various public domain initiatives.