One of the Great Modern Masters series of monographs on 20th-century artists, this volume offers an introduction to Paul Klee, reproducing major works from all periods of his career. At various times, he was associated with Surrealism, the Bauhaus and the Blaue Reiter group.
I've always appreciated the artists of the 'Blaue Reiter' group, especially Franz Marc and Kandinsky. Paul Klee was also a member however for me, his work is too 'Expressionistic'. Yet he's still an interesting artist of the era.
This introductory style book consists of basic info on Klee; a several page biography and then a collection of plates. However only a title is provided for the plates - no history, interpretation, not even a date (though on some Klee provided that on the painting).
Coincidentally just visited the Dallas Museum of Art 10/06/2011 and they had a Klee. Looked like a painting of a place mat, but still interesting experience.
Fourteen large-sized reproductions of Paul Klee's paintings. Such a small and necessarily idiosyncratic selection of Klee's work will of course leave any Klee fan mystified as to the selection criteria. Each reproduction includes, on its back the title, date painted, medium and a short sentence, in many cases a quotation from Klee which may or not be pertinent to the painting.
Taschen's reproductions are, as usual, breathtaking in quality. Since this book belongs to the series "Portfolio", there is next to no text in them -a brief paragraph introduces the book and a bare-bones all too brief chronology closes it.
This tiny book is excellent! There are an abundance of gorgeous full color plates (91) of Klee's work from the earliest date until his death with notes about each piece. The introduction (11 pages) gives an excellent overview of his life and personal inspiration. This is a great book to introduce anyone to this artist.