Artwork

The Calculating Old Man

The Calculating Old Man, by Paul Klee, 1929
The Calculating Old Man, by Paul Klee, 1929

The Calculating Old Man is a print by Paul Klee. It dates from 1929 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

The Calculating Old Man is a 1929 print by Paul Klee, a Swiss-born German artist. It is part of the collection at The Cleveland Museum of Art.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a simplified figure with a large head and small body, holding a bundle of wavy lines that may represent a plant or tangled wires. The figure's simplicity and the enigmatic bundle invite interpretation.

Technique & Style

Executed in black lines on a light background, the work features a flat, geometric quality. The use of even horizontal lines to fill the background creates a sense of order, contrasting with the organic shape of the bundle held by the figure.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Paul Klee

Artist

Paul Klee

Paul Klee (German: ; 18 December 1879 – 29 June 1940) was a Swiss-born German artist.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.