A swarming 1938

Paul Klee made this painting called ‘A swarming’ in 1938 using gouache on paper. I love how Klee makes a world with such simple means. The colors are muted, yet there's a playful tension between the earthy browns, the pale blues, and those little pops of orange. It's like a dance of restraint and exuberance, all happening at once. The paint looks thin, almost watery, allowing the paper to breathe through, but there are also denser areas, especially in the figure's hair and those dark, looping lines. It looks like Klee uses the side of his brush as well as the tip. Look at the way the blue flower sits in the center, anchoring the composition. It’s like a burst of concentrated energy, surrounded by the more subdued tones. Klee's work reminds me a little of Miró, but with a quieter, more introspective spirit. Both of them remind us that art is a conversation, always echoing and responding to what came before.