Cesar Klein
Stillleben mit Figur („Stilleben mit Puppe“)
Artist
Cesar Klein
Literature
Däubler, Theodor, César Klein, Junge Kunst, vol. 5, Leipzig 1919, b/w illus. no p.
Provenance
Dietrich Fey Collection, Travemünde;
Private collection, Southern Germany;
Private collection, Berlin.
Private collection, Southern Germany;
Private collection, Berlin.
Share
Description
- Combination of Expressionism and Cubism
- César creates a tension-filled spatiality
- Meditative atmosphere
In this large-format still life from 1918, César Klein demonstrates his mastery of expressive and cubist forms. The Asian doll, the main protagonist of the composition, stands in front of a screen behind an angular table draped with books. Next to it, the viewer discovers individual large-format leaves, although it is not entirely clear whether these are also depicted on the screen or are real plants. The rigid posture of the doll and the almost mask-like face create a meditative atmosphere despite the lush colors of yellow, red and green tones.
Klein's dynamic composition is characterized by a bold, visible brushstroke that structures the surfaces and lends the objects a tangible, tactile presence. The depiction of space is broken up; the perspective seems to tilt and creates a tense spatiality. The scenery conveys an inner restlessness and psychological depth that goes beyond the mere depiction of the objects.
As early as 1910, Klein was one of the 27 juried artists of the Berlin Secession and became a co-founder of the New Secession. In 1918, together with Max Pechstein, Klein initiated the founding of the revolutionary November Group, an artists' association committed to artistic and political renewal after the war. Klein was part of a vibrant network of artists experimenting with the aesthetics of modernism and positioning themselves in a new political climate.
The exchange with other artists such as Max Ernst also influenced César Klein in the following years. His work as a stage designer also contributed to his stylistic development.
Pfefferkorn 72.
- César creates a tension-filled spatiality
- Meditative atmosphere
In this large-format still life from 1918, César Klein demonstrates his mastery of expressive and cubist forms. The Asian doll, the main protagonist of the composition, stands in front of a screen behind an angular table draped with books. Next to it, the viewer discovers individual large-format leaves, although it is not entirely clear whether these are also depicted on the screen or are real plants. The rigid posture of the doll and the almost mask-like face create a meditative atmosphere despite the lush colors of yellow, red and green tones.
Klein's dynamic composition is characterized by a bold, visible brushstroke that structures the surfaces and lends the objects a tangible, tactile presence. The depiction of space is broken up; the perspective seems to tilt and creates a tense spatiality. The scenery conveys an inner restlessness and psychological depth that goes beyond the mere depiction of the objects.
As early as 1910, Klein was one of the 27 juried artists of the Berlin Secession and became a co-founder of the New Secession. In 1918, together with Max Pechstein, Klein initiated the founding of the revolutionary November Group, an artists' association committed to artistic and political renewal after the war. Klein was part of a vibrant network of artists experimenting with the aesthetics of modernism and positioning themselves in a new political climate.
The exchange with other artists such as Max Ernst also influenced César Klein in the following years. His work as a stage designer also contributed to his stylistic development.
Pfefferkorn 72.