Customer Reviews

Paul Klee: Selected by Genius, 1917-33

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This is one of the most beautiful and in-depth studies on the art of Paul Klee I have ever seen. The essays give wonderfully in-depth background on Klee's creative process, based on the study of the works that he kept for his personal collection. In many of these works we find the archetypes that informed most of his very personal and highly expressive iconography. The works in the exhibition, 80 works, are all top-quality Klee, and offer a well-rounded selection of works created during his most prolific and creative period (1917-1933). But there are also works included up to 1939, as well. Prestel has really outdone themselves in this incredibly splendid publication. The design, printing, and quality of manufacturing are all first-rate, and the price is astonishingly low...even the Amazon list price is a bargain, and this superior volume is discounted even more. Anyone with an interest in 20th Century art will absolutely want to own this gorgeous book, and if you are a fan of the work of Klee, as I am, you will find it an indispensible addition to your library.

I found a few color repros in this book that I haven't seen in other books.I like most of the selections with the exception of a few that look like Kandinsky.Yet, I prefer the Kandinskys that are similar to Klee.I have a large collection of postcards of Klee from museums,I am always on the lookout for Klees that I haven't seen The reproductions are very good.I have over 40 books on Klee. I have visited the Klee Foundation collection in Berne.The Klees in the Philips collection + MOMA and the Guggenheim,.Lenbachaus (Munich)I went to MOMA's Klee exhibition awhile back...you had to wait in line to see each piece.This book is well worth the price .Others have commented on the high quality of the design of the book.The essays are a worthwhile read.Especially the piece on the presentation of Klee's work, his method of mounting drawings and watercolors,sometimes adding color to the border of a work,His mounting of paper over burlap. Only a few books reproduce the work with the frame showing.. This discussion is something that is not found in the plethora of literature on Klee. Number one mentions Klee's extensive influence on modern painters. They fail to mention Picasso, (from a Picasso museum catalogue) ---"Picasso did many of the drawings for Guernica after meeting Klee in Suisse,that may have been influenced by Klee".They do discuss the culture of experimentation that both artists shared.To really understand Klee it is a good idea to buy every book you can on this wonderful artist. A pervasive attitude during the fifties was:the work is a secret..My problem in buying books : I read the essays right away..the first day.In this case 36 pages. The fifteen dollars is still worthwhile because of the gorgeous plates of Klee's work.I continue to look at the work more than any prolix essays.The type of soft cover of this type holds up well over time.This is a book you can take to bed with you and study a painting ..and pleasantly send you off to dream land!

We were fortunate to have obtained a windfall of 9 Klee books:
This book presents quite a punch. The new kid (book) in town (2007).
Wonderfully ingrains Klee into his era and into art history. Limited to his 'master years' 1917 - 1933. None the less a great representation of Klee's genius.

13 reproductions plus 80 fantastic plates. Great color quality. And a wonderful selection of his works. Alot of pictures not readily available in most klee books.

Starts with the history of his dramatic artistic output and his art story. Ends with his personal and family history. Many photos of Klee.

This is THE gem of all the Klee books.

Please see our other Klee reviews

The size of the book is a little small. However, the quantity and quality of the images is definitely worth the price.

As an artist myself I understand the need to keep certain pieces, and have also been denied the chance to buy pieces from other artist friends due to the personal nature of certain works. This in no way has anything to do with it being a particularly great work, just that it has personal extra meaning to the artist.

This book is a different set of work that in no way represents the totality of Klee work. I was disappointed with this. It seems that Klee himself didn't have much personal connection to his signature style of work if you buy the premise, and major selling point, of this book! If you want the Klee that made him famous and loved don't get this one, it won't show you that. If you want personal favorites of Klee that seem out of place in the context of the totality of his work, get this. Also if you are looking for the cheapest book on Klee here get this.