Promenade in the Orient (1932) by Paul Klee

Promenade in the Orient - Paul Klee - 1932

Artwork Information

TitlePromenade in the Orient
ArtistPaul Klee
Date1932
Mediumwatercolor,paper
Art MovementSurrealism
Current LocationBarnes Foundation, Philadelphia, PA, US

About Promenade in the Orient

The artwork titled “Promenade in the Orient” was created by the artist Paul Klee in 1932. This piece is rendered in watercolor on paper and belongs to the Surrealism movement, specifically classified as a genre painting. The artwork is part of the collection housed at the Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States.

In “Promenade in the Orient,” the viewer is presented with an enchanting and fantastical composition that reflects the innovative spirit of Surrealism, where the subconscious and dream worlds intertwine with reality. Klee’s mastery in watercolor is evident in the subtle gradations and textural qualities of the background, which contrasts with the whimsical and somewhat geometric figures that dominate the foreground.

These figures, though abstracted and reduced to a collection of shapes and lines, suggest a procession or a casual stroll, as the title suggests – a promenade. The figures seem to float across the picture plane, their forms intersecting and overlapping in a delicately balanced dance. Their attire and the presence of what appears to be animals add a narrative element to the work, evoking a sense of place that is simultaneously familiar and mysterious.

Klee’s color palette is muted yet varied, conveying a sense of depth and richness within the apparent simplicity of the composition. The juxtaposition of abstract forms with the suggestive power of the title invites viewers to interpret the scene through their own imagination, a hallmark of Surrealist art which sought to unlock new ways of seeing and experiencing the world.

Other Artwork from Paul Klee

More Surrealism Artwork

Scroll to Top