C. - C. = Fisch, 1931

Paul Kleeexpand_more

Watercolor and ink on gessoed paper, mounted on boardexpand_more

Gift of Mrs. Patrick Butlerexpand_more  77.41

Not on Viewexpand_more

With the title C. - C. = Fisch, Paul Klee emphasizes the creative process at the heart of his drawing. According to the equation, Klee subtracted one letter "C" from another to form the fish's body, with the extended intersection of the two mirrored Cs defining the tail fin. The fish's eye and lateral fin can be discerned among a tangle of expressive, freely-drawn lines that also suggest a sense of motion, as if the fish is swimming forward. Throughout the compostion, Klee emphasizes the basic geometric elements of shape and line that are characteristic of much of his work, while reminding us that the artmaking process itself is the essential part of the picture. The notation "S.cl" on the mount of the drawing means "Sonderclasse," or "Special class" in English. It was inscribed by Klee to identify those works he especially liked.

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Details
Title
C. - C. = Fisch
Artist Life
1879 - 1940
Role
Artist
Accession Number
77.41
Provenance
Werner Allenbach, Bern, until 1961; (Berggruen & Cie, Paris; 1961-67); (Galerie Europe, Paris; from 1967); Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Butler, St. Paul, by 1971-1977; given to MIA, 1977.
Catalogue Raisonne
Klee Foundation, vol. 6, no. 5473; P. Klee handwritten catalogue: 1931, 68 (M.8)
Curator Approved

This record is from historic documentation and may not have been reviewed by a curator, so may be inaccurate or incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.

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