Suicide on the Bridge (Der Selbstmörder auf der Brücke)

Suicide on the Bridge (Der Selbstmörder auf der Brücke) is a pivotal 1913 graphic work by the celebrated German-Swiss artist, Paul Klee. This piece, classified as a print, utilizes the technique of line block reproduction, a medium allowing for sharp clarity and mass distribution. Created just before Klee’s groundbreaking journey to Tunisia, the image reflects the intensity and stylistic compression characteristic of his pre-war output. The composition is defined solely by sharp, angular black lines, creating a stark, unsettling scene. Klee renders a solitary figure leaning precariously over the railing of a geometric bridge structure, using an economy of line to convey deep psychological tension rather than descriptive detail. The deliberate abstraction and reduced palette push the scene beyond mere illustration toward emotional symbolism, a key trait that would define much of Klee’s subsequent career.

During the 1913 period, Klee was focused on how graphic precision could fuse with profound emotional subject matter. This work showcases his necessary departure from conventional representation, aligning him with the nascent expressionistic and experimental tendencies prevalent in German culture at the time. Although executed early in his career, Klee demonstrates an acute awareness of the psychological power inherent in simplified geometry, contrasting the rigid, industrial lines of the bridge architecture with the vulnerable human form. The technique inherent in producing these modern prints allowed Klee to explore the visual language of darkness and shadow with unparalleled graphic texture, placing Suicide on the Bridge within the growing movement of Modernist printmaking.

This significant example of Klee's early graphic output is preserved within the distinguished collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). As a foundational work from 1913, it provides critical insight into the evolving visual language Klee was developing before he fully integrated color theory and Suprematist influences. The stark, direct execution captures a moment of ultimate decision, making the work a powerful and lasting statement on existential contemplation.