The Rhine at Duisburg 1937

Paul Klee made this painting of The Rhine at Duisburg with oil paint, using soft blues and greens, then mapping it with dark, almost childlike lines. Looking at it, I imagine Klee standing there, maybe on a gray day, trying to capture the feeling of the water moving, the boats bobbing, but also the industrial feel of the port. The paint is thin, almost watery, like he’s trying to evoke the river itself. Those zig-zag lines could be waves, or maybe they’re like musical notes, trying to find the rhythm of the river. He’s not just copying what he sees, but how the place makes him feel. The marks feel immediate, like Klee is working quickly, trying to catch a fleeting moment. It reminds me a bit of Joan Miró, that playfulness and freedom. Artists riff off each other, you know? It's like a big, ongoing conversation! Each one brings something new, but they’re all inspired by what came before. Painting is like that. It's not about getting it “right,” but about exploring, questioning, and finding your own way of seeing.