San Diego Museum of Art - Comedy of Birds (Vogelkomödie)

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Comedy of Birds (Vogelkomödie)

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Bookmark: https://collection.sdmart.org/objects-1/info/25571

Comedy of Birds (Vogelkomödie)

Paul Klee, Swiss, (December 18, 1879–June 29, 1940)

Creation date: 1918

Other Information

Type: Lithograph

Medium and Support: Lithograph on paper

Credit Line: Gift from the Estate of Vance E. Kondon and Liesbeth Giesberger.

Accession Number: 2011.110

Dimensions: 18 5/16 in. x 10 1/4 in. (46.51 cm x 26.04 cm)

Label Copy

7.30.2021

This is one of a number of lithographs Klee created at the close of the First World War, which claimed the lives of his friends, artists Franz Marc and August Macke. ‘Comedy’ refers to theatrical performances that often satirized public and political society. A broken tree and fallen birds are victim to the ongoing cacophony and chaos; his own sense of futility is expressed by the precariously balanced Star of David. Klee was a member of Der Blaue Reiter (The Blue Rider) in Munich, where he met Wassily Kandinsky and Gabriele Münter, and taught at the Bauhaus for a decade (1921-31) before escaping from Nazi Germany and returning to Switzerland in 1933.

Last Updated: 7/30/2021

Exhibition

This object was included in the following exhibitions:

Early 20th Century German Art from the Vance E. Kondon Collection , 1/28/1984 - 3/11/1984

The Human Beast San Diego Museum of Art , 7/21/2012 - 11/11/2012

Bibliography

This object has the following bibliographic references:

Mr. Steven L. Brezzo and Ida Katherine Rigby. Early 20th Century German Art from the Vance E. Kondon Collection The San Diego Museum Art. January 1984
Page Number: 9, 10

Marks

Label, : B. J. Jeanes Studio - Gallery / PHONE 459-1792 - [crossed out 5510 with 6941 handwritten in ink over it] LA JOLLA BLVD. / INTERIOR CONSULTATION - RESTORATION / Art Gallery / PAINTINGS - SCULPTURE - ALL MEDIA / Framing Studio / WHOLESALE - RETAIL - INDUSTRIAL / The Finest in Design and Creative Framing

Label, : Title: "Birdcomedie" - Soby 1918/1 / Medium: 1918 Lithograph Price: / Artist: Paul KLEE / Date: Swiss 1879-1940 Stock 62-438 / [crossed out in ink] FERDINAND ROTEN GALLERIES BALTIMORE 2, MD.

Printed, BL edge of paper: Dogehkorn___, 1918 Subg 12

Printed, BC edge of paper: 62-438 CET $440

Watermark, Top center of image: Van Gelder Zonem

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