Portrait Sketch of a Costumed Lady 1924

This sketch of a costumed lady was made by Paul Klee, likely with ink on paper, and it’s all about process. It's as if Klee wasn't trying to capture a likeness but was instead allowing the image to emerge through a series of intuitive marks. Look at how the face is constructed from dashes, like stitches holding together a form. There's a playful naivety to the drawing; the features are simplified, almost childlike, and the whole thing feels provisional, open. The dark shapes create contrast and weight; they give the impression that everything will fall apart. But at the same time, it holds together, right? Klee's work reminds me of Miró, who embraced spontaneity and the accidental in his work. But unlike Miró, Klee incorporates a sense of melancholy, or maybe a little bit of the absurd, into his approach. It's this combination of elements that make his work so compelling. We're invited to bring our own perspective and interpretation to the table. There’s a constant exchange of ideas, interpretations, and possibilities.