Red and white domes, 1914, Watercolour, 14.6x13.7 cm, K Paul Klee (1879-1940)

The watercolor presents a fragmented view of architectural forms, specifically domes, arranged within a grid-like structure. The composition is dominated by warm hues – ochre, russet, and terracotta – interspersed with cooler tones of teal, grey, and pale blue. These colors are applied in broad washes, creating a sense of atmospheric depth despite the flattened perspective.
The artist has broken down the domes into geometric blocks, obscuring their traditional rounded forms. This deconstruction is further emphasized by the sharp, angular divisions between these blocks, which disrupt any illusion of spatial continuity. The overlapping and layering of color fields suggest a complex interplay of light and shadow, though no definitive source of illumination is established.
A distinct visual rhythm emerges from the repetition of shapes and colors. While the domes are the focal point, their presence is ambiguous; they appear as abstracted remnants rather than fully realized structures. This ambiguity contributes to an overall feeling of displacement or memory – as if these forms are recalled fragments of a larger, perhaps lost, landscape.
The small size of the work (14.6x13.7 cm) intensifies this sense of intimacy and fragility. The delicate watercolor medium further enhances the impression of fleeting observation and subjective interpretation. It is not a literal depiction but rather an exploration of form, color, and memory – a visual meditation on architectural motifs reduced to their essential components.

The signature in the upper left corner suggests a personal connection to the work, reinforcing its status as a direct expression of individual perception.