With the egg, 1917, Collection Mr. and Mrs. Bruno Strei Paul Klee (1879-1940)

The composition presents a fractured perspective, devoid of recognizable spatial cues or traditional depth. The artist has constructed a complex arrangement of geometric forms – primarily triangles and trapezoids – that interlock and overlap across the canvas. These shapes are rendered in a muted palette dominated by blues, browns, yellows, and reds, with occasional flashes of brighter color that serve to disrupt the overall tonal consistency.
The surface appears textured, suggesting an application of paint that is both deliberate and somewhat rough. The edges of the forms are not sharply defined; instead, they bleed into one another, contributing to a sense of visual ambiguity. A central element, resembling a sphere or oval – perhaps intended as an egg – is positioned near the lower center of the composition. It appears isolated within its immediate surroundings, yet simultaneously integrated into the larger geometric structure.
The absence of any discernible narrative or figurative elements encourages a focus on formal qualities: color relationships, shape interactions, and surface texture. The fragmentation inherent in the arrangement suggests a breakdown of conventional perception; it is as if the artist has disassembled reality into constituent parts and reassembled them according to an internal logic. This approach could be interpreted as an exploration of the instability of visual experience or a commentary on the limitations of representational art.
The overall effect is one of controlled chaos, where order emerges from apparent disorder. The painting resists easy interpretation; it invites contemplation rather than offering definitive answers. It seems to explore the potential for abstraction to convey meaning beyond the realm of recognizable imagery.