Quarry at Ostermundigen (Steinbruch Ostermundigen)

Quarry at Ostermundigen (Steinbruch Ostermundigen), executed by Paul Klee in 1909, is a significant early drawing that foreshadows the artist’s subsequent abstract explorations. This German drawing is a detailed example of Klee’s mastery of line, rendered using ink on paper and subsequently mounted on board. Created when Klee was still establishing his unique artistic perspective, the work reflects the transitional period of European art leading up to the development of Expressionism and the Blaue Reiter movement, which Klee would soon join. The meticulous application of ink captures the raw, industrial scarring of the landscape near Ostermundigen, a suburb of Bern, Switzerland, where Klee resided during this initial phase of his career.

The subject matter documents a specific geological site, rendered with careful attention to structural detail. Klee utilized dynamic, short strokes and varying line weights to define the harsh contours of the excavated rock face, contrasting it sharply with the surrounding foliage. Though classified strictly as a drawing, the complexity of the composition lends it a substantial presence, illustrating Klee’s commitment to observational realism before his transition to pure non-representational abstraction. This piece reveals the formal influences of Symbolism and Post-Impressionism circulating through German artistic circles at the time, particularly in its focus on structure and atmosphere. The contrast between the natural setting and the human alteration of the land provides a subtle commentary characteristic of the era.

As an exceptional example of Klee's draftsmanship in 1909, this drawing serves as a crucial document of the artist's formative years. The focus on landscape and architecture—a recurring theme in his early work—demonstrates the foundation upon which his mature style would be built. The careful layering of ink washes and fine lines establishes the depth and spatial arrangement within the limited scope of the paper support. This historically significant work is currently held in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, where it is referenced globally by scholars tracing the development of one of the 20th century’s most vital modernists. High-quality fine art prints and digital reproductions of this piece are widely available, allowing the early stages of Quarry at Ostermundigen to be studied by the public domain.