Angel Still Feminine, 1939, Kunstmuseum, Bern. Paul Klee (1879-1940)

The composition presents a figure rendered in a simplified, almost childlike style, set against a pale blue background. The artist employed a limited palette dominated by yellows, pinks, reds, and blues, applied with visible strokes that suggest a directness of execution. A large, triangular form in yellow-orange dominates the left side of the canvas, its sharp angle contrasting with the rounded forms of the central figure.
The figure itself is characterized by an exaggerated head, disproportionate to the body which is only hinted at through rudimentary lines and shapes. The face possesses a melancholic quality; large, circular eyes stare blankly forward, while a small, downturned mouth suggests sadness or resignation. A vertical line bisects the face, creating a sense of division or duality.
A prominent feature is the depiction of breasts on the triangular form, rendered in a stark red hue. This element introduces an immediate and undeniable focus on femininity, yet it’s presented with a peculiar detachment – almost as if observed rather than experienced. The placement within the angular shape suggests a containment or restriction of this feminine aspect.
The overall effect is one of unsettling ambiguity. While the simplified forms might initially suggest innocence or naivety, the somber expression and the unusual juxtaposition of elements – the triangular form, the breasts, the divided face – create an atmosphere of psychological complexity. The work seems to explore themes of identity, vulnerability, and perhaps a questioning of conventional representations of womanhood. Theres a sense that something is concealed or suppressed beneath the surface simplicity, inviting contemplation on the nature of feminine experience within a restrictive framework.