Error on green, 1930, Galerie Beyeler, Basel Paul Klee (1879-1940)

The composition presents a central figure set against a muted green-brown background. The dominant element is a large, circular form that functions as the head or face. This shape is rendered in warm ochre tones and lacks any discernible hair; its surface appears smooth and almost featureless save for the carefully placed elements of the visage.
The facial features are stylized and somewhat unsettling. Eyes, depicted with sharp angles and dark pupils, gaze directly forward, conveying a sense of detached observation or perhaps even scrutiny. A triangular form positioned on the left side of the face introduces an element of asymmetry and visual disruption. Below the eyes, a single teardrop shape hangs vertically, suggesting melancholy or vulnerability. The mouth is rendered as a simple horizontal line with small, dark dots indicating lips.
Below the head, a green, umbrella-like structure extends downwards, supported by two thin, blue appendages that function as legs. This unusual combination of elements creates a sense of imbalance and surrealism. To the left of the figure, a vertical arrangement of yellow squares rises to support a slender, red form resembling a bottle or vessel. A small ladder is positioned against this structure, adding another layer of symbolic complexity.
The overall effect is one of quiet strangeness. The limited color palette contributes to a sense of restraint and introspection. The deliberate distortions and juxtapositions of familiar forms – the face, the umbrella, the ladder – suggest a questioning of reality or an exploration of psychological states. Theres a feeling that something is amiss, hinted at by the title’s suggestion of “error.” This could be interpreted as a commentary on perception, communication, or the inherent flaws within systems and structures. The figure seems to exist in a liminal space, neither fully present nor entirely absent, prompting reflection on themes of isolation, identity, and the fragility of human experience.