P Klee Quotes & Sayings

Art does not reproduce the visible; rather, it makes visible. — Paul Klee Foundation

When looking at any significant work of art, remember that a more significant one probably has had to be sacrificed. — Paul Klee

One does not lash hat lies at a distance. The foibles that we ridicule must at least be a little bit our own. Only then will the work be a part of our own flesh. The garden must be weeded. — Paul Klee

The longer a line, the more of the time element it contains. Distance is time whereas a surface is apprehended more in terms of the moment. — Paul Klee

Paul Klee seems to handle colors and dreams as if they both came out of a box of children's toys. He plays and dreams with whatever he finds. — Jean Helion

In earlier days, even as a child, the beauty of landscapes was quite clear to me. A background for the soul's moods. Now dangerous moments occur when Nature tries to devour me; at such times I am annihilated, but at peace. This would be fine for old people but I ... I am my life's debtor, for I have given promises ... — Paul Klee

The painter should not paint what he sees, but what will be seen. — Paul Klee

Spatial art does not begin with a poetic mood or idea, but with construction of one or more figures, with the harmonizing of several colors and tones, or with the devaluation of spatial relationships and so on. — Paul Klee

Art does not reproduce what we see. It makes us see. — Paul Klee

It is interesting to observe how real the object remains, in spite of all abstractions. — Paul Klee

Drawing is the art of taking a line for a walk. — Paul Klee

Be winged arrows aiming at fulfillment and goal. — Paul Klee

Art does not reflect what is seen, rather it makes the hidden visible. — Paul Klee

I paint in order not to cry. — Paul Klee

There was an exhibition in Munich in 1937, 'Degenerate Art,' which included work by Klee, Kandinsky, Beckmann and many others. The work was called 'sick' and put in the trash heap. The sentiments expressed toward contemporary art by Jesse Helms, Pat Robertson and Mayor Giuliani recall the language used by the Nazis. — Hans Haacke

I love dogs. I have a Golden Doodle and an Alaskan Klee Kai. — Halston Sage

A tendency toward the abstract is inherent in linear expression: graphic imagery being confined to outlines has a fairy-like quality and at the same time can achieve great precision. — Paul Klee

A long struggle lies in store for me in this field of color. — Paul Klee

It is the artistic mission to penetrate as far as may be toward that secret ground where primal law feeds growth. — Paul Klee

Colour has taken hold of me; no longer do I have to chase after it. I know that it has hold of me forever. That is the significance of this blessed moment — Paul Klee

The creation lives as genesis beneath the visible surface of the work. All intelligent people see this after the fact, but only the creative see it before the fact - in the future. — Paul Klee

My hand is entirely the implement of a distant sphere. It is not my head that functions but something else, something higher, something somewhere remote. I must have great friends there, dark as well as bright. They are all very kind to me. — Paul Klee

One eye sees, the other feels. — Paul Klee

A line comes into being. It goes out for a walk, so to speak, aimlessly for the sake of the walk. — Paul Klee

All the things an artist must be: poet, explorer of nature, philosopher! — Paul Klee

Frightened, I jump up from the bank, the struggle begins anew. Bitterness has returned. I am not Pan in the reed, I am merely a human being and want to climb a few steps, but really climb them ... — Paul Klee

The art of mastering life is the prerequisite for all further forms of expression, whether they are paintings, sculptures, tragedies, or musical compositions. — Paul Klee

We construct and keep on constructing, yet intuition is still a good thing. — Paul Klee

You adapt yourself to the contents of the paintbox. — Paul Klee

Polyphonic painting is superior to music in that there, the time element becomes a spatial element. The notion of simultaneity stands out even more richly. — Paul Klee