Paper

Student Artwork Guide

Clouds over Bor

Paul Klee, 1940

Name Class Date
Paul Klee, Clouds over Bor (1940). Public domain. See this canvas under a moving light: the drawing, the true colour under the varnish, the bare pigment

The facts

Artist
Paul Klee originaluniqueart.com/en/artists/paul-klee/
Artist’s dates
1879 – 1940
Painted
1940
Medium
Acrylic On Canvas
Original size
44 x 46 cm
Movement
Expressionism Colour and shape deliberately distorted so the picture shows an emotion rather than a likeness.
Influences
Expressionism, Cubism, Surrealism
Notable elements
Red dots, Soft washes of color, Ethereal quality
Style
Abstract

Copyright This work is in the public domain. Paul Klee died in 1940; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it ended in 2010.

Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Oct. 3, 2026

Clouds over Bor — Paul Klee Part 1 · The artwork

In context

Clouds over Bor — Paul Klee

How big is it?

The original measures 44 × 46 cm (height × width), drawn here beside an adult of average height.

When was this painted?

  1. 1870
  2. 1880
  3. 1890
  4. 1900
  5. 1910
  6. 1920
  7. 1930
  8. 1940

Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span — 0 at birth, 61 at death.

Painted when the artist was 61. The artist lived to 61. 217 of the 235 dated works by this artist in our catalogue came earlier.

Shaded: the lifetime of Paul Klee (1879–1940) ▲ this work, 1940 every dated painting, decade by decade

First works: up to 1920 Main working years: 1920–1937 Late works: from 1937

Those three bands split the works this catalogue has a date for into a first quarter, a middle half and a last quarter. They are not the artist’s complete output: a thin stretch may be a gap in the record rather than a quiet spell. The same years with the artist’s life laid along them

Compare with

Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.

More works to set beside this one: originaluniqueart.com/en/art/similar/paul-klee-clouds-over-bor-8LT42X-en/

Colours

Measured from the image

    Main colour

    Mahogany #e93a23

    Catalogued palette

    • #E93A23
    • #FBFBED
    • #F38D66
    • #F0CDAA

    These colours inside the artist’s whole palette Find other paintings by colour

    Palette
    Pastels The dominant colour family in the image.
    Main colour name
    Mahogany
    Intensity
    Vivid How saturated and varied the colours are, from a single toned-down hue to many bright ones.
    Contrast
    Gentle How much the colours differ in lightness and saturation across the picture.
    Harmony
    Strong Color Unity How well the colours work together, from clashing to fully unified.
    Brightness
    Brilliant How light or dark the picture reads overall, from deep shadow to bright highlight.
    Saturation
    Clear Color Presence How pure and strong the colours are, from near-grey to fully vivid.

    Where in the world is this painting looked at?

    • under 1%
    • 1–3%
    • 3–8%
    • 8–20%
    • 20% and over
    This painting alone has too few recorded visitors to map, so the plate reads every work by Paul Klee over the last twelve months — 50 countries in all. Where these figures come from

    The ten leading countries

    1. 1 China 46.1%
    2. 2 United States of America 11.0%
    3. 3 Hong Kong 7.3%
    4. 4 Singapore 7.3%
    5. 5 Brazil 2.9%
    6. 6 France 2.6%
    7. 7 Italy 2.4%
    8. 8 Argentina 1.9%
    9. 9 Poland 1.7%
    10. 10 Germany 1.6%
    11. · 40 other countries 15.2%

    Find the three darkest countries on the map. Is the museum that keeps this painting in any of them? Write down one reason people far away might look at it.

    The 20 most looked-at works by Paul Klee

    1. 1 Twittering machine 1 4.0%
    2. 2 To Parnassus, 1932 3.6%
    3. 3 Flora on sand, 1927 1.9%
    4. 4 Landscape with Yellow Birds, 1923 1.9%
    5. 5 Legend of the Nile, 1937 1.9%
    6. 6 Southern (Tunisian) Gardens 1.8%
    7. 7 Fire at Full Moon 1.5%
    8. 8 Redgreen and Violet-Yellow Rhythms, 1920 1.3%
    9. 9 Fish Image, 1925 1.2%
    10. 10 Rose Garden, 1920 1.2%
    11. 11 Serpent, 1926 1.1%
    12. 12 Reconstructing, 1926 1.1%
    13. 13 Arabian Princess 1.0%
    14. 14 Tale à la Hoffmann 1.0%
    15. 15 Comedians' Handbill, 1938 1.0%
    16. 16 Rote und weisse Kuppeln (also known as Red and white cupolas), 1914 1.0%
    17. 17 Arctic Dew, 1920 0.9%
    18. 18 The Lamb, 1920 0.9%
    19. 19 May Picture, 1925 0.9%
    20. 43 Clouds over Bor, 1940 this painting 0.5%

    Together these works take 29.7% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 501 works by this artist, of which 408 were looked at at least once. This painting ranks 43 of them, with 0.5% of that attention. The same counts, month by month

    Bars measure attention, not quality. Pick the work at the top and this one: name one thing that might make a painting famous beyond how well it is painted.

    Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Oct. 3, 2026

    Clouds over Bor — Paul Klee Part 2 · In context

    About this artwork

    Clouds over Bor — Paul Klee

    A Dreamscape in Hues: Unveiling Paul Klee’s “Clouds over Bor”

    This captivating painting by Paul Klee, created in 1940, is a masterclass in atmospheric abstraction and emotional resonance. Measuring 44 x 46 cm, the work eschews literal representation for a poetic exploration of form, color, and feeling – a hallmark of Klee’s mature style. It's a piece that invites prolonged contemplation, offering new discoveries with each viewing.

    Artistic Style & Technique: A Synthesis of Modernism

    Klee expertly blends elements of Expressionism, Cubism, and Surrealism in this work, resulting in a uniquely personal visual language. While rooted in observation, the painting doesn’t depict a recognizable landscape; instead, it evokes the feeling of being amidst clouds or perhaps recalling fragmented memories of architectural structures. The artist employs watercolor with remarkable sensitivity, layering soft washes of pink, blue, yellow, and green to create an ethereal quality. These hues intermingle and bleed into one another, suggesting movement and a sense of boundless space. Notice the delicate application – Klee doesn’t strive for precise definition but rather allows forms to emerge and dissolve within the overall composition. The scattered red dots add playful accents, punctuating the dreamlike atmosphere with bursts of energy.

    Symbolism & Interpretation: A Landscape of the Mind

    The title, “Clouds over Bor,” hints at a geographical location, yet the painting remains resolutely abstract. "Bor" itself is thought to be a place in Klee’s imagination, representing a mythical or remembered landscape. The floating forms can be interpreted as suggestions of buildings, natural elements, or simply pure shapes existing within an atmospheric realm. This ambiguity is intentional; Klee sought not to dictate meaning but to stimulate the viewer's own emotional and imaginative responses. It’s a painting about inner landscapes – feelings, memories, and subconscious thoughts projected onto the canvas. The work speaks to the power of suggestion and the beauty of open-ended interpretation.

    Historical Context & Artistic Influences: A Time of Turmoil

    Created in 1940, during a period of immense global upheaval, this painting reflects Klee’s internal world amidst external turmoil. Having returned to Switzerland from Germany due to Nazi persecution, his work increasingly turned inward, exploring themes of displacement and longing. Throughout his career, Klee was deeply influenced by the artistic currents of his time – Expressionism's emotional intensity, Cubism’s fragmentation of form, and Surrealism’s exploration of the subconscious. However, he synthesized these influences into a style that was distinctly his own, infused with a childlike wonder, dry wit, and profound musicality (Klee was an accomplished violinist).

    Artistic Legacy & Relevance: A Continuing Inspiration

    Paul Klee's impact on modern art is undeniable. His innovative use of color theory – meticulously documented in his influential Paul Klee Notebooks – continues to inspire artists today. He challenged traditional notions of representation, paving the way for abstract expressionism and other non-representational movements. His work remains incredibly relevant, offering a timeless exploration of human emotion and the power of imagination. The Zentrum Paul Klee in Bern, Switzerland, stands as a testament to his enduring legacy, housing an unparalleled collection of his art.

    Interior Design & Collecting: A Versatile Statement Piece

    This painting’s subtle color palette and abstract form make it surprisingly versatile for interior design. It would complement a range of styles – from minimalist modern spaces to more eclectic, bohemian settings. The soft hues create a calming atmosphere, while the dynamic composition adds visual interest without overwhelming the space. As a collectible piece, owning a high-quality reproduction allows art enthusiasts to bring Klee’s unique vision into their homes and enjoy his masterful artistry for years to come.

    Key Features

    Artist: Paul Klee

    Year: 1940

    Medium: Watercolor on paper

    Dimensions: 44 x 46 cm

    Style: Abstract Expressionism, Cubism, Surrealism

    Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Oct. 3, 2026

    Clouds over Bor — Paul Klee Part 3 · About this artwork

    Artist and museum

    Artist

    Paul Klee

    Born in Münchenbuchsee, Switzerland

    A Life of Line and Lyricism

    Born in Münchenbuchsee, Switzerland, on December 18, 1879, Paul Klee entered a world shaped by the rhythms of music. His father, Hans Wilhelm Klee, was a German music teacher, and his mother, Ida Marie, was a Swiss singer. This early immersion in sound provided a foundation for a visual language that often mirrored musical arrangement. While he initially pursued the violin with great talent, eventually deciding that modern music lacked the creative pull he craved, he turned his focus toward the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich. His studies there between 1898 and 1901 were marked by an early mastery of drawing, though he famously struggled with color during those first cold winters.

    The transition from a draftsman to an abstract thinker was not immediate. Klee’s early years involved exploring the boundaries of Symbolism and Art Nouveau, often working in black and white or through experimental techniques like needle drawing on blackened glass. A significant shift occurred in 1914 during a visit to Tunisia. The intense light of North Africa allowed him to detach color from physical description, using it instead as an independent force. This period provided the necessary push toward abstraction, moving his work away from mere representation and toward a more personal, symbolic vocabulary.

    The Bauhaus Years and Political Shadows

    Klee’s career reached a period of intense theoretical and creative activity during his time at the Bauhaus. From 1920 to 1930, he joined the faculty of this influential school of design and architecture, working alongside figures like Wassily Kandinsky. It was here that much of his prolific output occurred, particularly small-scale watercolors and drawings on paper. His teaching allowed him to explore the relationship between color and form with scientific precision, a subject he documented extensively in his notebooks. These writings, which examined the mechanics of design, are now regarded as essential texts for understanding modern composition.

    The stability of this era was abruptly interrupted by the rise of National Socialism. In 1933, Klee was dismissed from his position at the Academy of Fine Arts in Düsseldorf because the Nazi regime classified his work as “degenerate.” Forced to return to his native Bern, his later years were marked by a shift in tone. As political turmoil grew and his own health declined, his lines became heavier, turning into black bars, and his forms grew more generalized. The whimsicality of his earlier years gave way to a more somber, melancholic perspective, reflecting the gravity of the era.

    A Lasting Visual Language

    The breadth of Klee’s output is immense, totaling some 10,000 works that range from delicate sketches to larger, more structured compositions. His ability to blend influences from Cubism, Expressionism, and Surrealism resulted in a style that felt both childlike and deeply intellectual. He utilized a variety of media, including:

    Zinc-plate etchings

    Watercolor on gauze and paper

    Lithographs

    Charcoal and pencil drawings

    His work remains a study in balance, where titles often provided the necessary context for his often cryptic imagery. Whether through the use of simple stick figures or complex, colorful grids, he sought to express the inner world of ideas rather than the surface of reality. He died on June 29, 1940, in Muralto, Switzerland, leaving behind a body of work that bridged the gap between the figurative and the abstract.

    Where to read more

    Find this online

    QR code linking to the download page for Clouds over Bor

    originaluniqueart.com/en/art/download/paul-klee-clouds-over-bor-8LT42X-en/

    Cite this artwork

    MLA
    Klee, Paul. Clouds over Bor. 1940, https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/paul-klee-clouds-over-bor-8LT42X-en/
    APA
    Klee, Paul (1940). Clouds over Bor [Painting]. https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/paul-klee-clouds-over-bor-8LT42X-en/
    Chicago
    Paul Klee. Clouds over Bor. 1940. https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/paul-klee-clouds-over-bor-8LT42X-en/
    Harvard
    Klee, Paul (1940) Clouds over Bor. Available at: https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/paul-klee-clouds-over-bor-8LT42X-en/

    Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Oct. 3, 2026

    Clouds over Bor — Paul Klee Part 4 · Artist and museum

    Look closely

    Clouds over Bor — Paul Klee

    Look closely

    Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.

    1. What catches your eye first, and why?
    2. Which colours or shapes create the mood — and what is that mood?
    3. Our catalogue files this work under: abstract clouds, watercolor painting, geometric shapes. Do you agree? What would you add, or take away?
    4. Look back at Twittering machine 1, earlier in this guide. Name two things it shares with this work, and one that is different.
    5. Expressionism: Colour and shape deliberately distorted so the picture shows an emotion rather than a likeness. Where can you see that in this work?

    Your response

    Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.

    Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Oct. 3, 2026

    Clouds over Bor — Paul Klee Part 5 · Look closely

    Art quiz

    Clouds over Bor — Paul Klee

    How well do you know this artwork?

    Tick one answer for each of the 5 questions below. Each has exactly one correct answer.

    1. 1. In what year was Paul Klee's 'Clouds over Bor' created?

      • A 1920
      • B 1935
      • C 1940

    2. 2. Which artistic movements significantly influenced Paul Klee's style, as seen in 'Clouds over Bor'?

      • A Renaissance and Baroque
      • B Impressionism and Pointillism
      • C Expressionism, Cubism, and Surrealism

    3. 3. What is a notable characteristic of Klee's technique in 'Clouds over Bor'?

      • A Precise realism and detailed rendering
      • B Bold, thick brushstrokes and impasto
      • C Soft washes of color and layered forms

    4. 4. The title 'Clouds over Bor' suggests what about the depicted landscape?

      • A It is a literal depiction of a real location.
      • B ‘Bor’ represents an imagined or remembered place.
      • C It refers to a specific meteorological event.

    5. 5. What medium did Paul Klee primarily use in 'Clouds over Bor'?

      • A Oil on canvas
      • B Watercolor
      • C Acrylic on board

    My score: ____ out of 5

    Answer key — for the teacher

    This starts a fresh printed page, so it can simply be left out of the copies.

    1C · 2C · 3C · 4B · 5B

    Check any answer against the catalogue record for this painting

    Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Oct. 3, 2026

    Clouds over Bor — Paul Klee Part 6 · Art quiz

    Questions & Answers

    Are the colors of "Clouds over Bor" by Paul Klee vivid or muted?

    "Clouds over Bor" by Paul Klee is recorded with a clear color presence saturation and a vivid intensity.

    Where can I find artworks similar to "Clouds over Bor" by Paul Klee?

    The Similars page of "Clouds over Bor" by Paul Klee presents related artworks.

    Is "Clouds over Bor" available as a fine art print?

    "Clouds over Bor" is available as a fine art print on cotton canvas or archival canvas paper. Orders are placed on its Fine Art Print page, in the size of your choice.