''Ad Parnassum'' is a
pointillist painting by Swiss-born artist
Paul Klee. The painting is currently in the
Kunstmuseum Bern.
Analysis
It was created while Klee was teaching at the
Dusseldorf Academy following his trip to Egypt three years prior. The painting process consisted of first applying large squares of muted color on unprimed canvas. Klee then stamped on smaller squares, first in white and then in other diluted colors. The composition is dominated by the shape of a pyramid outlined with stamped lines. The structure could also be interpreted as the roof of a house or a mountain and was likely inspired by the
Egyptian pyramids
The Egyptian pyramids are ancient masonry structures located in Egypt. Sources cite at least 118 identified "Egyptian" pyramids. Approximately 80 pyramids were built within the Kingdom of Kush, now located in the modern country of Sudan. Of ...
, the
Niesen that overlooks
Lake Thun in the artist's home country, and the titular
Mount Parnassus. Above the pyramid to the right is a bright orange circle that represents the Sun.
''Ad Parnassum'' was painted during a turning point in Klee's artistic style and is now considered a masterpiece in pointillism. An exhibition celebrating the work was presented at the
Zentrum Paul Klee from June 2007 to May 2008.
See also
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List of works by Paul Klee
This is an incomplete list of works by Paul Klee (18 December 1879 – 29 June 1940), a Swiss-born German artist and draftsman. His highly individual style was influenced by movements in art that included Expressionism, Cubism, and Surrealism.
L ...
References
External links
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{{Authority control
Paintings by Paul Klee
1932 paintings
Sun in art
Pointillism
Paintings in Bern