Six species 1921

Paul Klee rendered "Six Species" with mixed media on paper, offering a whimsical tableau of geometric forms that suggest an almost primordial landscape. These shapes—squares, circles, and triangles mounted on thin legs—evoke a sense of the elemental, reminiscent of archaic symbols found in ancient cultures. Consider the circle: a universal symbol of wholeness and eternity, appearing here as both a void and a solid form. Throughout history, we see the circle in mandalas, astronomical charts, and religious iconography, each time reflecting humanity's quest to understand the cosmos and our place within it. This motif speaks to the cyclical nature of life, death, and rebirth. The psychoanalytic perspective allows us to see these forms not merely as abstract shapes, but as carriers of subconscious weight, engaging viewers on a deep emotional level. The recurrence and evolution of the circle, from ancient sun symbols to modern abstract art, show how symbols resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings across time.