The expressionist Swiss-German artist Paul Klee (1879–1940) often drew parallels between the creative process and the natural forces that influence and control the growth of plants.
Full of ceaseless spirals, overlapping planes and swelling forms, and with titles like ‘Flowering’ or ‘Hymn to Fertility’, Klee’s work differs from traditional nature studies. Rather than producing ‘from-life’ imitations of nature and natural forms, Klee was more experimental. His use of visual botanical metaphors explored not only the physical characteristics of plants, but also something metaphysical, more fundamental and universal, even extending to the healing potential of nature.
A peer and friend of Wassily Kandinsky and August Macke, Klee was an instrumental member of Der Blue Reiter, a pioneering group of artists working in the early 20th century. His writing on his artistic practice, including colour theory, form and process are considered to be foundational to modern art.
This talk will serve as an introduction to the topic, and no prior knowledge is necessary to join us. Attend live at the Museum or stream online from your sofa.
This talk will last an hour. Tickets are available to watch either ONLINE or IN-PERSON at the Foundling Museum; in-person tickets include Museum entry. The online recording will be available to watch for 1 month.
Dr Niccola Shearman is an independent art historian and freelance lecturer in the field of twentieth-century German and Austrian art. Educated at Oxford University and at the Courtauld Institute of Art, her doctorate concerned the German modernist print in the aftermath of the First World War. An experienced lecturer, Niccola has been associate lecturer at the Courtauld Institute and the University of Manchester and is a regular contributor to Courtauld Short Courses and to the V&A Academy. Publications include academic articles and contributions to exhibition catalogues, most recently for the Expressionists exhibition at Tate Modern, 2024. In 2025 she was co-curator, with Emily Christensen, of With Graphic Intent, German and Austrian modernist works on paper at the Courtauld Gallery.