monsieur Perlenschwein,1925

Monsieur Perlenschwein, 1925 by Paul Klee is a distinctive watercolor executed using both sprayed and brushed techniques on paper, which was then mounted onto cardboard. Created during Klee’s influential tenure at the Bauhaus school, this painting exemplifies his systematic exploration of material properties, transparency, and controlled surface texture. Klee utilized the spraying of pigment to achieve subtle gradients and atmospheric diffusion, contrasting this ethereal effect with the sharp, precisely brushed lines that define the whimsical, abstracted figure.

The title, which translates to "Mr. Pearl Pig," reflects the artist’s interest in anthropomorphic forms and the subconscious, integrating elements of childlike simplicity with sophisticated formal analysis. The figure captures Klee's characteristic blend of gentle humor and deep structural inquiry, firmly situating the work within the development of European Surrealism during the mid-1920s.

This significant work is held within the renowned collection of the Kunstsammlung NRW in Düsseldorf. As a celebrated example of Klee’s watercolor mastery, monsieur Perlenschwein is frequently studied by scholars. While the original resides in the museum, high-quality archival prints of Klee’s most important works are widely sought after, maintaining the artist's legacy long after his key pieces eventually enter the public domain.