“Urban Composition with Yellow Windows” (1919) by Paul Klee, reproduction on handmade paper

Paul Klee (1879-1940) shaped the understanding of modern art like few others. With his mosaic-like compositions, he created an entirely new style. Born in Bern in 1879, the German-Swiss Klee showed early promise as a dual talent: his drawing skills, as well as his violin playing, suggested both a musical and an artistic career. Klee chose art and went to the Munich Academy of Fine Arts, where he studied under Franz von Stuck, among others. However, it was less the academic studies than an extended study trip to Italy with fellow artists that helped him develop his own distinctive style. Subtle, symbolic representations full of wit and humor became his trademark. His works are usually small formats, often just drawings, yet they utterly captivate the viewer.