Snail (Schnecke)

Snail (Schnecke) is a delicate drawing executed by Paul Klee in 1914. This early work showcases the artist's foundational interest in line and form, created using black ink on paper mounted onto a board. The specific medium classification, drawing, highlights Klee's focus on intimate scale and immediate execution, techniques which defined much of his output during this transformative period of German modernism.

The composition utilizes the snail’s shell as a primary motif, allowing Klee to explore the basic, fundamental spiral shape that would become a recurring geometric element in his later abstract compositions. Unlike his mature, highly layered color works, this drawing emphasizes the precision and clarity achievable through simple, controlled ink lines. The artist often reduced complex subjects to their essential, rhythmic elements, making the simple, contained form of the snail a perfect vehicle for this early investigation into structural minimalism.

The year 1914 places the work at a critical historical juncture, just before the full upheaval of World War I, and immediately following Klee’s pivotal trip to Tunisia, which had solidified his commitment to exploring color and abstraction. While Snail (Schnecke) remains primarily monochromatic, it reflects the intellectual distillation of form that marked the emerging avant-garde movements. This important 1914 drawing provides valuable insight into the developmental stages of one of the twentieth century’s most inventive artists.

This early modern piece is part of the distinguished permanent collection at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York. Given the age and significance of the work, high-quality images and references, including fine art prints, are often accessible through various museum and public domain resources, ensuring that Klee’s meticulous draftsmanship remains available for study and appreciation.