The artwork “Untitled (Still Life)” by Paul Klee is dated to 1940, executed in the medium of oil on canvas. Dimensionally, it measures 39 3/8 x 31 5/8 inches (100 x 80.5 cm) and is currently housed at the Zentrum Paul Klee in Bern, Switzerland. This piece is a representation of the Cubism art movement and belongs to the still life genre.
In examining the artwork, one can observe the distinctive characteristics of Cubism, a style marked by the use of geometric shapes and fragmentation of objects. The composition presents a variety of elements that seem to float against a dark background, giving the impression of a disassembled array of still life items. The color palette is somewhat muted yet diverse, including shades of green, blue, purple, orange, and pink, while lines and shapes are delineated with clarity.
The spatial composition defies traditional perspective, instead offering a flattened tableau where the interplay of forms takes precedence over realism. The various components are abstracted, reducing familiar objects to their most basic shapes, yet they retain enough detail to allow for their identification as items usually found in a still life arrangement. The overall effect is one where the harmony and rhythm of forms bring a sense of unity to the piece, despite the inherent fragmentation associated with Cubist works.
