Designated as "degenerate" by the Nazis, Paul Klee (1879-1940) is today considered one of the most important artists of the 20th century. His works stand out for the variety in their forms of artistic expression.

His Tunisian water-colours depicting landscape, architecture and, above all, the North African light of this Mediterranean land constitute the true beginning of Klee`s painting career. Although these paintings still fall under the heading of `objective,` they already exhibit indications of his tendency toward abstraction and a language of forms.

Geometrical figures and hieroglyphic elements characterize the majority of these works, which for this reason seem reminiscent of `naive` and playful children`s painting. In reality, however, Klee`s paintings have their roots in theoretical considerations, their recurrent symbols conveying personal and at times political content.