Athlete’s Head 1932

Paul Klee made Athlete’s Head with watercolour and ink on paper, but when is anyone’s guess. I love the way Klee builds up the image with these tiny little marks, it's like he's weaving the athlete’s portrait out of pure energy. The texture is so important here, it's not just a flat image. The surface feels alive, almost breathing with the accumulation of these brushstrokes. Look at the nose, how Klee has defined it with just a simple triangle and a curling line. It's so economical but so expressive. I’m reminded of Agnes Martin's grids, but with a playful twist. Where Martin is all about serenity, Klee is full of quirky humour. It's a reminder that art doesn't always need to be serious, it can be a space for play and exploration.