As of May 13, 2025

Paul Klee

Lot 27
Die Eule wusste es, 1940
Paste colors

8.1 x 11.4 in (20.5 x 29.0 cm)

Lot 27
Die Eule wusste es, 1940
Paste colors
8.1 x 11.4 in (20.5 x 29.0 cm)

Estimate:
€ 60,000 - 80,000
Auction: 21 days

Van Ham Kunstauktionen

City: Cologne
Auction: Jun 04, 2025
Auction number: A533
Auction name: Modern, Post War & Contemporary

Lot Details
KLEE, PAUL1879 Münchenbuchsee - 1940 Muralto/ Ticino


Title: "Die Eule wusste es".
Date: 1940.
Technique: Paste colors on Simili-Japan, Marke Bambou Japon Leysse.
Mounting: Mounted on card.
Measurement: 20,5 x 29cm.
Notation: Signed upper left of the work: Klee. Dated, inscribed, and titled on the backing card lower left: 1940 K10 The Owl Knew It.
Frame/Pedestal: Craftman's frame. Not examined out of the frame.
Enclosed: Zertifikat


A photo expertise by Dr. Jürgen Glaesemer dated December 1, 1987, is available for this work.

Provenance:
- Lilly Klee, Bern (1940-1946)
- Klee Society, Bern (1946-1950)
- Paul Klee Foundation, Bern (1950-1952)
- Felix Klee, Bern (1953-1981)
- Carmine Benincasa, Rome (from 1981)
- Sotheby's, London, auction, 1st June 1987, lot 513
- Galerie Neher, Essen (label)
- Private collection, North Rhine-Westphalia (acquired from previous owner in 1989)
- Independent foundation under the supervision of the German Foundation Centre, Essen

Exhibitions:
- Malmö Museum, 1965
- Konstsalongen, Stockholm 1965
- Konstmuseum, Gothenburg 1965
- Studio due ci Arte Moderna, Rome 1982 (label)
- Marisa del Re Gallery, New York 1983
- Museo d'Arte Moderna Ca Pesaro, Venice 1986
- Galerie Neher, Essen 1987
- Galerie Neher, Essen 1988
- Kunstmuseum, Bern 1990

Literature:
- Paul Klee Foundation/Kunstmuseum Bern (eds.): Paul Klee - Werkverzeichnis, vol. 9, Bern 2004, cat. no. 9309, ill.
- Paul Klee Foundation/Kunstmuseum Bern (eds.):Paul Klee, Verzeichnis der Werke des Jahres 1940, Stuttgart 1991, cat. no. 1940, 290 (KK10), ill.
- Exhibition catalogue: Paul Klee, Malningar-Teckningar, Malmö/Gothenburg/Stockholm, 1965, cat. no. 124
- Exhib. cat.: Paul Klee, Studio due ci Arte Moderna, Rome 1982, cat. no. VII, ill.
- Exhib. cat.: Klee. 1914 - 1940, Marisa del Re Gallery, New York 1983, ill.
- Exhib. cat. Paul Klee nelle collezioni private, Museo d'Arte Moderna Ca' Pesaro, Venice 1986, cat. no. 154
- Exhib. cat. Deutsche Kunst im 20. Jahrhundert, Galerie Neher, Essen, 1987, vol. 1, pp. 66/67, ill.
- Exhibition cat. Die Kunst der Aquarelle, Galerie Neher, Essen, 1988, p. 32, ill.
- Exhibition cat. Paul Klee - Das Schaffen im Todesjahr, Kunstmuseum Bern, Bern 1990, cat. no. 272, ill.

- Freshly coloured sheet from the last year of the artist's life
- A stylistically particularly typical work, which remained in the possession of the artist's heirs for a long time
- Impressive exhibition history.
Lot Details
KLEE, PAUL1879 Münchenbuchsee - 1940 Muralto/ Ticino


Title: "Die Eule wusste es".
Date: 1940.
Technique: Paste colors on Simili-Japan, Marke Bambou Japon Leysse.
Mounting: Mounted on card.
Measurement: 20,5 x 29cm.
Notation: Signed upper left of the work: Klee. Dated, inscribed, and titled on the backing card lower left: 1940 K10 The Owl Knew It.
Frame/Pedestal: Craftman's frame. Not examined out of the frame.
Enclosed: Zertifikat


A photo expertise by Dr. Jürgen Glaesemer dated December 1, 1987, is available for this work.

Provenance:
- Lilly Klee, Bern (1940-1946)
- Klee Society, Bern (1946-1950)
- Paul Klee Foundation, Bern (1950-1952)
- Felix Klee, Bern (1953-1981)
- Carmine Benincasa, Rome (from 1981)
- Sotheby's, London, auction, 1st June 1987, lot 513
- Galerie Neher, Essen (label)
- Private collection, North Rhine-Westphalia (acquired from previous owner in 1989)
- Independent foundation under the supervision of the German Foundation Centre, Essen

Exhibitions:
- Malmö Museum, 1965
- Konstsalongen, Stockholm 1965
- Konstmuseum, Gothenburg 1965
- Studio due ci Arte Moderna, Rome 1982 (label)
- Marisa del Re Gallery, New York 1983
- Museo d'Arte Moderna Ca Pesaro, Venice 1986
- Galerie Neher, Essen 1987
- Galerie Neher, Essen 1988
- Kunstmuseum, Bern 1990

Literature:
- Paul Klee Foundation/Kunstmuseum Bern (eds.): Paul Klee - Werkverzeichnis, vol. 9, Bern 2004, cat. no. 9309, ill.
- Paul Klee Foundation/Kunstmuseum Bern (eds.):Paul Klee, Verzeichnis der Werke des Jahres 1940, Stuttgart 1991, cat. no. 1940, 290 (KK10), ill.
- Exhibition catalogue: Paul Klee, Malningar-Teckningar, Malmö/Gothenburg/Stockholm, 1965, cat. no. 124
- Exhib. cat.: Paul Klee, Studio due ci Arte Moderna, Rome 1982, cat. no. VII, ill.
- Exhib. cat.: Klee. 1914 - 1940, Marisa del Re Gallery, New York 1983, ill.
- Exhib. cat. Paul Klee nelle collezioni private, Museo d'Arte Moderna Ca' Pesaro, Venice 1986, cat. no. 154
- Exhib. cat. Deutsche Kunst im 20. Jahrhundert, Galerie Neher, Essen, 1987, vol. 1, pp. 66/67, ill.
- Exhibition cat. Die Kunst der Aquarelle, Galerie Neher, Essen, 1988, p. 32, ill.
- Exhibition cat. Paul Klee - Das Schaffen im Todesjahr, Kunstmuseum Bern, Bern 1990, cat. no. 272, ill.

- Freshly coloured sheet from the last year of the artist's life
- A stylistically particularly typical work, which remained in the possession of the artist's heirs for a long time
- Impressive exhibition history.

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