The Niesen

This watercolour by Klee shows the Niesen mountain in Switzerland bathed in an “Egyptian Night” (an alternate title for the work). Why has Klee combined these Eastern and Western elements? The Niesen is presented like an Egyptian pyramid. Perhaps this is some kind of visual joke, or a metaphor for the Swiss-born artist’s trips to Egypt.  A deep purple and blue colour scheme is used to demonstrate a luxurious “otherness” to the Eastern light. In the sky are symbols for the moon and stars; Klee has not attempted to recreate the scene naturalistically. In the foreground further colours and textures are introduced. Blocks of reds, greens, and yellows are stacked upon each other as if in swatches. Some of these ‘blocks’ have added textures of spots. The colours of the painting communicates the Western perception of the East as a place of mystery and magic.