Die Equilibristin über dem Sumpf,1921

Die Equilibristin über dem Sumpf, 1921 by Paul Klee is an important drawing executed in ink on paper and subsequently mounted on cardboard. Created shortly after Klee began his tenure teaching at the influential Bauhaus school, this early 1920s work exemplifies his focused exploration of line, psychological space, and narrative abstraction.

The composition features a solitary, minimalist figure, the equilibrist, suspended precariously on a thin line over a suggestion of a swampy ground below. Klee utilized a delicate, controlled application of ink to define the subject, creating a sparse yet highly evocative symbolic scene that suggests themes of existential vulnerability and the tension required to maintain balance. The classification of the work as a drawing emphasizes Klee's focus on the essential graphic elements, distilling a complex psychological state into pure form.

This significant piece is held within the collection of the Kunstsammlung NRW, Düsseldorf, underscoring its relevance in the study of early 20th-century Modernism. The museum’s stewardship ensures the preservation of the original work. While the original remains protected, high-quality reproductions and prints of Die Equilibristin über dem Sumpf are sometimes made available through art reference and public domain initiatives, allowing broader appreciation of Klee’s unique graphic genius and his enduring contribution to Modern art.