Zentrum Paul Klee Bern Founded by Maurice E. and Martha Müller and the heirs of Paul Klee
Exhibitions 20.5. – 22.10.2023

Paul Klee Everything grows

The Zentrum Paul Klee keeps shells, seaweed and stones in its depot. Why? Paul Klee’s engagement with nature formed the basis of his artistic work.

While as a young man he practised drawing by making highly detailed copies of nature, he soon began to examine natural growth processes. He wanted to follow the example of nature in creating living forms. He also taught about his findings in his lessons at the Bauhaus. He organised his collection of plants in a herbarium, and there were shells, molluscs and seaweed lying on shelves in his studio. Along with numerous artworks, these materials give us an insight into the many ways in which Klee addressed the phenomena and processes of nature.

Brochure "Paul Klee - Alles wächst"

A summer with Paul Klee under the sign of nature: this brochure (in German) shows Paul Klee as a collector, nature philosopher and cook, among other things.

Inspiration Nature – A FRUCHTLAND Tour

What does birch bark have to do with the faces of trees? And why would trees and people talk to one another? And what does all this have to do with Paul Klee? Klee always looked to nature and was fascinated by its diversity and the processes of change and growth that are the basis for all life. In the FRUCHTLAND (fertile country), the area surrounding the Zentrum Paul Klee, you will find nature – Klee’s visual material – with its structures and processes, its variety and aesthetics, always there to see.   

Follow the pink QR codes in the exhibition and the pink “viewfinders” into the FRUCHTLAND surrounding the building and discover Klee’s most important source of inspiration – nature – and where it led the artist!

See the Digital Guide