Tightrope Walker

1921

Walter Benjamin buys “Angelus Novus”

In 1921 the philosopher and critic Walter Benjamin bought Klee’s painting “Angelus Novus”. In his “Theses on the Philosophy of History” he suggested that its angel might be seen as the angel of history.

1921–1931

The preliminary course on the “theory of form”

Klee developed a preliminary course in the “theory of form” that began with the “point as the beginning of all beginnings”, moving through space, and the “cosmic egg” from which line, spiral, square, circle and cube are born. Students listened to lectures illustrated with Klee’s own abstract watercolours and then painted their own, trying to express movement, balance, flight and tension.

1922

Kandinsky joins the Bauhaus

In 1922 Kandinsky joined the Bauhaus staff and his friendship with Klee resumed. Klee welcomed the clash of theories and opinions at the school, approving of such competing forces if the result was achievement.

1923

Galka Scheyer and the “Blue Four”

At the instigation of Galka Scheyer the “Blue Four” was formed — Klee, Kandinsky, Lyonel Feininger and Alexej von Jawlensky. Scheyer subsequently organised exhibitions of their work in the United States.

26 January 1924

The lecture “On Modern Art” in Jena

At his exhibition at the Kunstverein in Jena Klee delivered the lecture “On Modern Art” (Über moderne Kunst).

1924–1925

Success with the Paris Surrealists

In 1924 Klee exhibited in Paris for the first time and became a hit with the French Surrealists, who were drawn to his partly morbid motifs. At the Paris Surrealist exhibition of 1925 Max Ernst was impressed by his work.