Winged Hero

1902–1906

Four years at his parents’ house in Bern

Back from Italy, Klee lived for four years at his parents’ house, earning a living by giving music and painting lessons and writing reviews for a music magazine; he attended a course in anatomy for artists, and the Bern Music Society took him on as a violinist. In 1904, in Munich’s print room, he studied Aubrey Beardsley, William Blake, Goya — whose “Disasters of War” delighted him — and James Ensor.

May – June 1905

Paris with childhood friends: the Louvre and the Luxembourg

With his childhood friends, the budding painter Louis Moilliet and the writer Ernst Bloesch, Klee lived in Paris and studied classical art in the Louvre and the gallery of the Luxembourg Palace. He also became acquainted with Impressionism, but the work of Cézanne, Matisse and Derain was still unknown to him.

June 1906

First public appearance: the Munich Secession

The “Inventions” etching cycle is shown at the Munich Secession’s international art exhibition — Klee’s first appearance before the public.

September 1906

Marriage and a move to Munich’s Schwabing

Klee moves to Munich and marries the pianist Lily Stumpf; the couple settle in the suburb of Schwabing.

30 November 1907

Son born: Felix Klee

1907–1911

Klee keeps house while Lily gives lessons

After the birth of his son Felix, Klee — unusually for the time — took on most of the care of the child and the household: Lily gave up her career as a pianist for teaching, and Klee’s studio was set up in the kitchen. His attempt to become a magazine illustrator failed and his work progressed slowly, as domestic duties took his time and he searched for a new approach to art.