Paul Klee
Room Perspective with Inhabitants, 1921
Oil transfer drawing and watercolour on paper on cardboard, 48,5 x 31,7 cm
Zentrum Paul Klee, Bern
The beginning of the 20th century was marked by scientific, technological, and societal changes. These ranged from Einstein’s theory of relativity and industrialization to photography and film. Their effects are also evident in visual art – in Cubism, Futurism, or abstract art in general. In “Room Perspective with Inhabitants,” Klee depicted a classically constructed room with one-point linear perspective. All of the lines in the room converge upon a single point to create the illusion of three-dimensionality. But the figures are also constructed in this manner, making them seem trapped on the floor and in the walls. They appear as disembodied, ghostly creatures. With this composition, Klee parodied the traditional representation of space using to linear perspective. It is also likely that he was questioning ideas about space and time as well.