In the Style of Kairouan - Paul Klee

A seminal 1914 watercolour by Paul Klee, exploring the relationship between colour, light, and geometric abstraction following his travels in Tunisia.

In the Style of Kairouan, created in 1914, marks a shift in Paul Klee's approach to colour and form. Following his journey to Tunisia in April 1914, Klee began to experiment with the relationship between light and geometric structure. This work demonstrates his move away from purely representational imagery towards a system of colour-based abstraction.

The composition consists of a grid of rectangular and square colour blocks. These shapes are arranged to suggest a rhythmic, musical quality, a concept Klee often explored in his theoretical writings. The palette includes warm oranges, yellows, and reds, balanced by cooler tones of blue and green. These hues are applied in thin, translucent washes, allowing the texture of the paper to remain visible beneath the pigment. Several circular forms are placed across the grid, acting as visual anchors that disrupt the rigid verticality of the rectangular blocks.

Klee's interest in the light of North Africa is evident here. Rather than attempting to depict the physical architecture of Kairouan, he translates the experience of the city into a series of chromatic relationships. The work functions as a study in how colour can define space and create a sense of depth without relying on traditional perspective. By breaking the image down into these basic units, Klee invites the viewer to engage with the painting as a construction of light and tone. This piece remains a primary example of his early efforts to synthesise his observations of the natural world with his interest in abstract geometry, resulting in a composition that balances order with a sense of spontaneity.