Paul Klee, Hauptweg und Nebenwege, 1929

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The article reconstructs the genesis of the large-format and technically demanding painting “Hauptweg und Nebenwege” (Cologne, Museum Ludwig) on the basis of numerous preparatory works, which are listed in full in an appendix. It also analyses similar works from the same period, during which Klee was in a pivotal moment in his career at the Bauhaus. It also discusses Klee's trip to Egypt, his affinity for music theory, geometry, color schemes, and ideas of cosmic unity. Klee was also inspired by Oswald Spengler’s influential book “Der Untergang des Abendlandes.”