Paul Klee: Zentrum Paul Klee

The Zentrum Paul Klee, which opened its doors during the summer of 2005, is not an art museum in the traditional sense--just as its raison d'etre, Paul Klee, was by no means a traditional artist. Klee, who was also a musician, teacher and poet, ranks comfortably as one of the twentieth century's most significant and beloved artists. His artworks, which partook marvelously in the spirit of the naif and the childlike, were the visual wonder of an intellect that also produced fascinating theoretical and educational treatises. The center, housed in a marvelously undulating building designed by renowned architect Renzo Piano, is set to become the leading resource worldwide for mediations on the life and work of Paul Klee, as well as the reception of his art. The diversity of Klee's artistic activities will be thoroughly represented here, with nearly 40 percent of the artist's entire oeuvre accounted for, totalling some 4,000 paintings, watercolors and drawings, as well as plentiful archives and biographical material. The collection has been compiled from a number of contributing sources, including generous donations and loans from the founding Klee and Mller families, the former Paul Klee foundation and numerous private holdings.