Dying Plants (Sterbende Pflanzen) is a profound drawing created by Paul Klee in 1922. This delicate work exemplifies Klee's mastery of mixed media, utilizing watercolor, pencil, and ink on paper. The composition is further framed by precise watercolor borders applied directly onto the board support, a common practice used by the artist to enhance the formal presentation and differentiate the central image from the surrounding mount. Classified as a drawing due to its foundational use of line and pencil structure, this piece captures Klee working at the height of his influence in the German art world.
Created early in the decade, the work reflects the cultural turmoil and intellectual searching following World War I, alongside Klee’s commitment to the teaching faculty at the influential Bauhaus school. The subject matter, suggested by the title, focuses on organic forms in a state of decay or transformation. Klee renders the 'dying plants' not as naturalistic studies, but as abstracted, fragmented elements suspended within a subtle spatial field. The composition features delicate linear structures provided by the pencil and ink, overlaid with the characteristic, translucent wash effects of watercolor. The muted colors, suggestive of fading vitality, contribute to an atmosphere of fragile impermanence.
The meticulous application of media in this 1922 piece shows Klee’s renowned graphic precision, blending careful draftsmanship with expressive color fields. The work stands as an important example of the artist’s ongoing experimentation with line, color, and biological imagery during his influential tenure in Weimar Germany. Today, this masterwork is housed within the renowned collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York. While the original drawing requires careful preservation, high-quality prints reflecting Klee’s innovative techniques are often made available, ensuring widespread accessibility to the artistic genius of this German modern master.
Important: ArtBee makes no warranties about the copyright status of this artwork. To the best of our knowledge, based on information from the source museum, we believe this work is in the public domain.
You are responsible for determining the rights status and securing any permissions needed for your use. Copyright status may vary by jurisdiction. See our License & Usage page and Terms of Service for details.