At the Window (Am Fenster)

At the Window (Am Fenster), created by Paul Klee in 1912, is a pivotal example of the German artist’s early mastery of graphic reproduction. Executed as a lithograph, this print exemplifies the foundational technical skills that Klee would later apply across diverse media, establishing him as a crucial figure in the burgeoning European avant-garde. The choice of lithography indicates the artist’s dedicated interest in drawing and the potential for transforming simple linear compositions through mechanical means, providing wider access to his work.

The year 1912 was a formative time for Klee, placing the creation of this work directly within the ferment of pre-war modernism. Having recently associated with the Der Blaue Reiter group, Klee was actively synthesizing the influence of Cubism and Expressionism, moving decisively away from representational realism toward highly abstracted and structural forms. The subject implied by the title, a window view, becomes a vehicle for spatial experimentation, examining the interplay between interior and exterior realities. Klee utilized the stark graphic qualities afforded by the print medium to break down traditional perspective, focusing instead on dynamic rhythm and formal structure.

This specific impression of Am Fenster is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), where it contributes to a comprehensive representation of Klee’s career trajectory. The piece stands as significant art historical reference material, marking the moment Klee transitioned into his mature style, fully embracing abstraction before his critical trip to Tunisia in 1914. Because the work is a print, it demonstrates Klee’s commitment to making his explorations into abstract spatial dynamics accessible, and it remains essential viewing for scholars studying 20th-century German printmaking.