Die Hexe mit dem Kamm

Accession Number
1950/1.170

Title
Die Hexe mit dem Kamm

Artist(s)
Paul Klee

Artist Nationality
Swiss

Object Creation Date
1922

Medium & Support
lithograph on paper

Dimensions
16 in x 11 1/8 in (40.6 cm x 28.3 cm);22 1/8 in x 18 1/8 in (56.2 cm x 46 cm)

Credit Line
Museum Purchase

Subject matter
Here, Klee has drawn a witch with a comb. The figure is whimsical and almost cartoon-like. Creating fantastical and mythical figures was characteristic of Klee's work, imagery of angels, demons, and witches appear throughout his oeuvre, often translated into human form. In addition, Klee was inspired by the simplicity and freedom of children's art. These influences are reflected in this piece which makes use of simple line and shape to depict the subject matter. This work was included in one of the portfolios produced by the Bauhaus that went to the German Book Museum.  

Physical Description
This image shows a line drawing of a standing figure. The figure has a large comb coming from the top of their head drawn with fanned-out lines and little circles along the top and wears a dress with a triangular pattern. He/she has arrows pointing downwards for arms. There are a few horizontal lines directly below and behind the figure to indicate shadow. The letter "K" is found at the bottom of the page, within the print plate and handwritten signature of the artist appears next to it. Below that is a horizontal line with the print edition and date in the lower left and the title of the work in the lower right.

Primary Object Classification
Print

Collection Area
Modern and Contemporary

Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.

Keywords
Entertainers
Expressionism
Figures
boy
comb
combs (hair ornaments)
figures (representations)
modern and contemporary art
simplicity (artistic concept)
standing
witches

22 Related Resources

All Artists in the Degenerate Art Show
(Part of 2 Learning Collections)
Artists of the Bauhaus
(Part of 3 Learning Collections)
Children's Literature and Stories
(Part of 2 Learning Collections)
Expressionism - Der Blaue Reiter
(Part of 2 Learning Collections)
Munich Expressionism
(Part of 2 Learning Collections)
Occult Mysticism in Western Art
(Part of 4 Learning Collections)
Witches and Witchcraft
(Part of 9 Learning Collections)
Satire--General
(Part of: Caricature and Visual Satire)
Wer waren die Expressionisten?
(Part of: Deutsche Holzschnittkunst vor und nach dem Ersten Weltkrieg)
F20 GERMAN 231-003 (Gell): Identity
(Part of 2 Learning Collections)
GERMAN 221/231: Identität
(Part of: Kunst und Identität in deutschsprachigen Ländern)

& Author Notes

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