New Harmony 1936

Paul Klee made this painting, New Harmony, with oil paint to create a geometric grid of color blocks. Look how the colors vibrate against one another—reds, greens, browns, grays and yellows jostle for space in a tight composition. You get the sense that Klee is finding his way through the act of painting, searching for a sense of balance between color and form. I imagine Klee might have been interested in color theory; the way colors interact and affect one another, or maybe he was just trying to create a space for contemplation. Notice how each block of color is slightly imperfect; they feel hand-painted, organic. It reminds me a little of Agnes Martin's grids, but with a playful twist. Klee and Martin both push against the rigidity of geometric abstraction, opting instead for a looser, more intuitive approach. Ultimately, painting is a conversation between artists across time. We all inspire each other, borrowing ideas, and pushing the boundaries of what painting can be. Each brushstroke is an invitation to join the conversation, adding our own voice to the mix.