Paul Klee: Painting Music (Pegasus Library) [Hardcover]

Hajo Duchting (Author)

Book Description

Series: Pegasus Library | Publication Date: October 1997

Paul Klee: Painting Music describes and illustrates how, from his earliest work as both painter and musician, Klee focused his efforts on combining these two related art forms. He attempted to translate the fundamental structures and rythms of musical composition into painting. He developed and harmonized pictorial themes as a composer would write music, weaving a complex series of signs and symbols into his painting. It is no surprise that he constantly sought inspiration in music, the most abstract of all art forms. This book represents the first major attempt to focus on the fascinating bond between music and painting in Klee's work, particularly at the Bauhaus, where his theories and practice first merged, and where he was to develop his Colour Spectrum, Square, and Polyphone painting series.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The books have great subjects--some of the most famous images in all art--and they have something new to say about them...." --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Language Notes

Text: English
Original Language: German

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Prestel (October 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 3791318721
• ISBN-13: 978-3791318721
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,396,733 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The paintings, drawings, and philosophy of Klee, January 17, 2001

By 

Eileen Galen (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Paul Klee: Painting Music (Pegasus Library) (Hardcover)

This beautifully illustrated and wonderfully informative monograph is devoted to the reasonable (and wholly accepted) thesis that Paul Klee's dedication to, and love for, musical forms informed his prolific life in art, specifically drawing and painting. Duchting has chosen illustrations that consistently reinforce his assertions. The commentary is smart, informed, and lively. Even if you dozed in Art History, this book is excellent. Duchting has done his homework, consulting Klee's own (published) diaries, notebooks, and sketchbooks, and the extensive writings of Klee friend and biographer Will Grohmann, and additional early biographers. In addition Duchting has spent a lot of time looking at the paintings themselves. Some of Klee's incredible lecture notes (which you must see to believe) from his years of teaching art are included, as are several quick drawings and works of artists who were associated with Klee.

This book has terrific production values. The paper is good,and the approximately 100 color reproductions are exquisite. Photographs of Klee, his wife Lily, and his studio. Page layout is a visual treat. It's really a gem of a book, right down to the lemon-yellow endpapers. There is a a short biography, pages of good endnotes, and a 'Selected Bibliography' (page 111).

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent insight into the world of Klee, October 19, 2006

By 

Brian Asquith - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Paul Klee: Painting Music (Pegasus) (Paperback)

If you have an interest in Klee and in particular his knowledge/love of music and how he tried to portray it through art, then this book is for you. Or even if you are looking for ways to portray music in your own artwork. For the money this book provides a wealth of information. The text is well written, avoids the "flowery" writing style that seems to abound in the world of art and its narratives. Originally written in German, the translator has done an excellent job. The quality of the book itself is excellent. It is liberally populated with colour and black & white images (the b/w images mainly reserved for pen and ink pieces). I think you would be very hard pushed to find a book on Klee offering better value for money than this one.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good for its central thesis, February 2, 2008

By 

Andrea (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Paul Klee: Painting Music (Pegasus) (Paperback)

Like all the books in this series, this publication is great for its color reproductions and extremely concise summary of a specific aspect of Klee's oeuvre. Düchting's writing is approachable and straightforward. Though occasionally dry and not exactly dynamic in style, I recommend Marcel Franciscono's monograph for more in-depth information on the life and historical context of the artist.