Paper

Student Artwork Guide

On the River

Paul Klee, 1939

Name Class Date
Paul Klee, On the River (1939), McNay Art Museum. 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
1939
Medium
Acrylic On Canvas
Movement
Abstract Expressionism Large canvases where the act of painting itself — the drip, the sweep — is the subject.
Held at
McNay Art Museum originaluniqueart.com/en/museums/mcnay-art-museum-san-antonio/
Artistic style
Abstract Expressionism
Influences
Cubism, Surrealism
Notable elements or techniques
Simplified forms, interlocking curved lines, pastel colors
Subject or theme
Landscape, Nature

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. 6, 2026

On the River — Paul Klee Part 1 · The artwork

In context

On the River — Paul Klee

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 60. The artist lived to 61. 201 of the 235 dated works by this artist in our catalogue came earlier.

Shaded: the lifetime of Paul Klee (1879–1940) ▲ this work, 1939 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-on-the-river-D739QQ-en/

Colours

Measured from the image

    Main colour

    Rosy Brown #bfa380

    Catalogued palette

    • #BFA380
    • #5E4A33
    • #866C51
    • #A48968

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

    Palette
    Earthy The dominant colour family in the image.
    Main colour name
    Rosy Brown
    Intensity
    Balanced How saturated and varied the colours are, from a single toned-down hue to many bright ones.
    Contrast
    Serene How much the colours differ in lightness and saturation across the picture.
    Harmony
    Unified Palette How well the colours work together, from clashing to fully unified.
    Brightness
    Bright How light or dark the picture reads overall, from deep shadow to bright highlight.
    Saturation
    Balanced Soft 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 4.3%
    2. 2 To Parnassus, 1932 3.6%
    3. 3 Legend of the Nile, 1937 1.9%
    4. 4 Landscape with Yellow Birds, 1923 1.9%
    5. 5 Flora on sand, 1927 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 1.5%
    9. 9 Rose Garden, 1920 1.2%
    10. 10 Fish Image, 1925 1.2%
    11. 11 Tale à la Hoffmann 1.2%
    12. 12 Comedians' Handbill, 1938 1.1%
    13. 13 Serpent, 1926 1.1%
    14. 14 Reconstructing, 1926 1.0%
    15. 15 Arabian Princess 1.0%
    16. 16 Arctic Dew, 1920 1.0%
    17. 17 Fire evening, 1929 1.0%
    18. 18 Rote und weisse Kuppeln (also known as Red and white cupolas), 1914 0.9%
    19. 19 May Picture, 1925 0.9%
    20. — On the River, 1939 this painting 0.0%

    Together these works take 30.0% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 501 works by this artist, of which 411 were looked at at least once. This painting has not been looked at yet in that time — it closes the list without a rank. 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. 6, 2026

    On the River — Paul Klee Part 2 · In context

    About this artwork

    On the River — Paul Klee

    A Childlike Vision of Flow and Form

    Paul Klee’s “On the River” isn't merely a depiction of a tranquil waterway; it’s an embodiment of his artistic philosophy—a celebration of simplicity, underpinned by profound observation. Executed in 1939 during a period marked by both artistic experimentation and personal reflection, this watercolor on handkerchief fabric exemplifies Klee’s distinctive approach to abstraction, prioritizing feeling over precise representation.

    Subject Matter: The painting captures a serene river scene, populated with stylized figures in a boat. However, it transcends literal observation, focusing instead on capturing the essence of nature itself—a concept central to Klee’s worldview.

    Style: Klee's style is undeniably childlike, mirroring the imaginative spirit of early childhood and rejecting the conventions of academic art. The deliberate lack of perspective contributes to a dreamlike atmosphere, inviting contemplation rather than judgment.

    Technique: Watercolor strokes are applied with a rough texture, suggesting spontaneity and immediacy—a characteristic that distinguishes Klee’s work from more polished styles. Subsequent crayon outlines define key elements, providing structural clarity against the backdrop of flowing watercolor washes.

    Color Palette & Compositional Harmony

    The artwork's color palette is remarkably restrained, dominated by muted yellows, golds, oranges, blues, and greens. These hues aren’t intended to dazzle but rather to evoke a sense of calm and understated beauty—a deliberate choice reflecting Klee’s assertion that “Color and I are one.” The central interlocking curved lines – fingerlike shapes – dominate the composition, mirroring the river's flow and embodying Klee’s belief in universal forms capable of conveying complex emotions.

    Dominant Colors: Soft yellows and golds create a luminous warmth, balanced by cooler blues and greens that evoke the tranquility of the riverside.

    Compositional Balance: The boat positioned on the right side mirrors the curving lines, reinforcing the overarching theme of interconnectedness and harmony—a visual manifestation of Klee’s artistic principles.

    Symbolism & Artistic Intent

    "On the River" speaks volumes about Klee's artistic vision. He famously declared that art is “a language of signs,” prioritizing expressive content over representational accuracy. The drawing of the boat, he argued, embodies the truthfulness and creativity inherent in children—artists who possess an intuitive understanding of form and color without adhering to rigid rules.

    Symbolic Representation: The curving lines symbolize fluidity and movement, mirroring the river’s flow and representing a broader exploration of natural forms.

    Philosophical Significance: Klee's belief in art as “a language of signs” underscores his conviction that visual art can communicate ideas and emotions beyond literal depiction—a testament to his pioneering role in abstract expressionism.

    A Reflection on Artistic Expression

    Ultimately, "On the River" embodies Klee’s desire for art to inspire joy and wonder. Its simplicity belies its depth, demonstrating how a carefully considered arrangement of lines, shapes, and color can convey profound emotional resonance. As Klee wrote at the time, “The picture has no particular purpose––It only has the purpose of making us happy.” This sentiment encapsulates his unwavering commitment to creating art that transcends utilitarian concerns and nourishes the soul.

    Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Oct. 6, 2026

    On the River — 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.

    Museum

    McNay Art Museum

    On show in San Antonio, United States of America

    A Sanctuary of Vision: Exploring the McNay Art Museum

    Nestled within a breathtaking Spanish Colonial Revival mansion overlooking the vibrant cityscape of San Antonio, Texas, the McNay Art Museum is more than just a repository of artistic treasures; it’s an immersive experience, a journey through centuries of creative expression. Founded by Marion Koogler McNay in 1954 as her personal legacy and born from a remarkable bequest, the museum stands as a testament to one woman's profound belief in art’s transformative power – a conviction that continues to shape its evolution today. From its humble beginnings as a collection housed within a stunning private residence, the McNay has blossomed into a nationally recognized institution, celebrated for its diverse holdings and commitment to fostering a deep appreciation for the visual arts.

    The heart of the museum’s allure lies in its remarkably curated collection, spanning from the 19th through 21st centuries. A cornerstone is undoubtedly the impressive array of European masterpieces – Paul Cézanne's vibrant brushstrokes and evocative landscapes, Pablo Picasso’s revolutionary cubism, and the emotionally charged works of Georgia O’Keeffe, whose intimate depictions of Southwestern flora capture a sense of profound solitude and beauty. Beyond these iconic figures, the McNay boasts an exceptional selection of American art, including the powerful social commentary of Diego Rivera, the delicate observations of Mary Cassatt, and the atmospheric narratives of Edward Hopper. However, the museum’s scope extends far beyond Western traditions; it proudly showcases a rich tapestry of artistic voices from around the globe, reflecting a commitment to inclusivity and global perspectives. Notably, the Tobin Collection of Theatre Arts – a nationally renowned assemblage of theatrical artifacts including costumes, set designs, and historical documents – offers a unique window into the collaborative spirit of performance art, adding an unexpected layer of depth and intrigue to the museum’s narrative.

    The Architecture: A Living Canvas

    The McNay's architectural significance is inextricably linked to its artistic mission. The mansion itself, designed by Atlee Ayres and his son Robert M. Ayres in 1927, isn’t merely a beautiful backdrop; it’s an integral part of the museum experience. Its Spanish Colonial Revival style – characterized by warm terracotta hues, intricate tilework, and expansive verandas – creates an atmosphere of timeless elegance and invites contemplation. The mansion's twenty-five acres are meticulously landscaped with fountains, broad lawns, and a serene Japanese-inspired garden, providing visitors with tranquil spaces for reflection amidst the artistic treasures within. The addition of the Jane and Arthur Stieren Center for Exhibitions in 2008, designed by architect Jean-Paul Viguier, represents a masterful dialogue between old and new. This modern structure, seamlessly integrated into the original mansion’s fabric, provides expansive light-filled galleries dedicated to special exhibitions, creating a dynamic contrast that underscores the museum's commitment to both preserving its legacy and embracing innovation.

    A Legacy of Engagement: Education & Community

    The McNay Art Museum is deeply rooted in its community, extending its reach far beyond the walls of the mansion. A comprehensive research library houses over 30,000 volumes, serving as an invaluable resource for scholars and art enthusiasts alike. Beyond this scholarly haven, the museum offers a vibrant array of educational programs – from engaging art classes and insightful lectures to hands-on workshops and captivating guided tours – designed to inspire creativity and deepen appreciation for the arts across all ages. These initiatives are particularly noteworthy in their dedication to nurturing young minds, with dedicated youth programs and family-friendly events fostering a lifelong love of art within the next generation. The meticulously maintained grounds also provide an inviting space for outdoor learning and contemplation, encouraging visitors to connect with art in new and meaningful ways.

    Expanding Horizons: Exhibitions & Future Visions

    The McNay’s commitment to showcasing diverse artistic voices is continually evolving through carefully curated special exhibitions. These events bring international artists and groundbreaking works to San Antonio, fostering dialogue and challenging conventional perspectives. Recent exhibitions have explored themes ranging from the surrealism of Salvador Dalí to the vibrant color palettes of Paul Wonner, demonstrating the museum's willingness to embrace both established masters and emerging talents. Looking ahead, the McNay continues to invest in its future, with ongoing efforts to expand its collection, enhance visitor experiences, and solidify its position as a leading cultural destination – a place where art breathes, inspires, and connects us all.

    Where to read more

    Find this online

    QR code linking to the download page for On the River

    originaluniqueart.com/en/art/download/paul-klee-on-the-river-D739QQ-en/

    Cite this artwork

    MLA
    Klee, Paul. On the River. 1939, McNay Art Museum. https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/paul-klee-on-the-river-D739QQ-en/
    APA
    Klee, Paul (1939). On the River [Painting]. McNay Art Museum. https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/paul-klee-on-the-river-D739QQ-en/
    Chicago
    Paul Klee. On the River. 1939. McNay Art Museum. https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/paul-klee-on-the-river-D739QQ-en/
    Harvard
    Klee, Paul (1939) On the River. McNay Art Museum. Available at: https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/paul-klee-on-the-river-D739QQ-en/

    Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Oct. 6, 2026

    On the River — Paul Klee Part 4 · Artist and museum

    Look closely

    On the River — 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. How many faces can you find? ____ (our catalogue counts 1 — do you agree?)
    4. Our catalogue files this work under: river landscape, geometric forms, color harmony. Do you agree? What would you add, or take away?
    5. Look back at Twittering machine 1, earlier in this guide. Name two things it shares with this work, and one that is different.

    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. 6, 2026

    On the River — Paul Klee Part 5 · Look closely

    Art quiz

    On the River — 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. What artistic movement is Paul Klee’s ‘On the River’ primarily associated with?

      • A Cubism
      • B Impressionism
      • C Expressionism

    2. 2. The unusual support surface used for 'On the River' is:

      • A Canvas
      • B Oil Painting
      • C Handkerchief Fabric

    3. 3. What color palette dominates ‘On the River’?

      • A Bright Reds and Greens
      • B Dark Blues and Purples
      • C Pale Yellows, Golds, Oranges, Blues, and Greens

    4. 4. 'On the River' exemplifies Klee's belief that art should be:

      • A A Realistic Depiction of Nature
      • B A Detailed Anatomical Study
      • C A Language of Signs

    5. 5. What is a key characteristic of the watercolor strokes used in ‘On the River’?

      • A Smooth and Precise Lines
      • B Uniform Color Coverage
      • C Rough Texture

    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.

    1B · 2C · 3C · 4C · 5C

    Check any answer against the catalogue record for this painting

    Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Oct. 6, 2026

    On the River — Paul Klee Part 6 · Art quiz

    Questions & Answers

    Where can I find artworks similar to "On the River" by Paul Klee?

    Artworks similar to "On the River" by Paul Klee are gathered on the artwork's Similars page.

    Where does "On the River" fall in Paul Klee's career?

    Within Paul Klee's career, "On the River" falls in the Mature Period. The phase helps compare it with the artist's other works.

    Where can I see a preview of "On the River"?

    A preview of "On the River" by Paul Klee is available on the artwork's Preview page.