Born in the Swiss town of Muenchenbuchsee, near Berne, on December 18, 1879, Klee was raised in a musical family where personal creativity was encouraged, particularly by Klee's father, a professor of music. While his father's encouragement in musical endeavors caused the younger Klee to concentrate his time on mastering the violin, art remained a passion that he would later indulge. By the turn of the century Klee had decided to explore his aptitude in the visual arts, as opposed to music. He moved to Munich to study at that city's Academy under popular symbolist painter Franz von Stuck. A year later Klee went on a tour of Italy, where he discovered the works of Byzantine artists. Spanish painter Francisco de Goya would also serve as an inspiration to the budding artist.
Klee returned to Berne in 1903, when he was twenty-four, and resumed his musical associations by performing professionally with that city's municipal orchestra. However, his attention continued to be diverted toward the visual arts, and by 1905 he had committed to changing careers, laying down his violin in favor of etching, drawing with pen and ink, and painting with watercolor.
This is a free page. This page contains 182 words. This
biography contains 2,568 words (approx. 9 pages at 300
words per page).
Read the rest of this Biography with our Paul Klee Access Pass.
