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Arsonist Marionette

Paul Klee

Artwork Details

Arsonist Marionette
1933
Paul Klee
wax crayon on prepared paper with brown ground
12 9/16 x 16 13/16 in. (31.91 x 42.7 cm);24 5/8 x 27 3/8 x 1 3/8 in. (62.55 x 69.53 x 3.49 cm)
Gift of Helmut Stern
1991/2.75

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Description

In January of 1940 Klee wrote a short autobiography at the request of art historian Will Grohman. In this statement Klee recalled the situation facing him in 1933 with typical understatement:"The repercussions of Germany's new politics could also be felt in the world of art, restraining not only independent teaching but also influencing any personal creative work"The artist's gleefully sinister marionette seems a perfect characterization of Nazi manipulation of popular thought and action.

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