Curatorial notes
Curator: What a striking piece. This is Paul Klee's "Woman in Peasant Dress," painted in 1940. Editor: It's immediately captivating, isn't it? The geometric shapes and the earthy palette evoke a sense of rustic simplicity, but there's also something unsettling in that fragmented face. Curator: Klee was deeply affected by the rise of fascism and the lead up to World War II. This work, made late in his career, resonates with the increasing anxieties of that period. Look at how the figure is abstracted, almost broken apart, mirroring the social and political fragmentation of the time. It's hard to see this as just a simple depiction of a peasant. It's a commentary on identity under duress. Editor: The rough brushstrokes and the heavy outlines speak to a certain urgency, I think. Considering the social turmoil in 1940, was there difficulty acquiring painting supplies at that time? Was he, like so many other artists, turning to more readily available, perhaps even less refined materials, which contributed to this almost coarse texture? Curator: Absolutely. We know Klee suffered from a debilitating illness later in life, scleroderma, that greatly impacted his practice, as did material availability in that time. Considering the larger historical narrative, and how the Nazi regime shut down the Bauhaus school, of which Klee was a teacher, it's essential to contextualize this work as resistance against a suppressive power, not just formally, but also politically. His shift to simplified, bolder forms can be interpreted as a direct reaction against the regime’s demand for conventional artistic standards. Editor: I find that incredibly interesting when analyzing the means of production. The visible brushstrokes feel particularly expressive, almost raw, perhaps reflecting that emotional urgency you describe. I am especially drawn to that division between high art and craft by examining Klee’s labor of putting together, through fractured pieces, a whole, representative figure. It calls into question modes of labor under oppressive regimes, both materially and emotionally. Curator: This artwork allows us to discuss a complicated history from both a material and sociopolitical perspective. Understanding what Klee made provides insight to what was going on during this tumultuous time. Editor: Ultimately, this image provokes discussion and furthers our knowledge surrounding the intersectionality between art, politics and labor during WWII.