The painter Paul Klee (1879--1940) was born near Berne in Switzerland. His early works weremonochromatic, in black and white. His contact with Expressionist artists such as Kandinsky, and a visit to Tunis, led him into color. He believed improvisation was an important part of painting, with the artist subconsciously guiding a work as it evolved, rather than consciously controlling it. His paintings are characterized by line and color, with an element of humor and fantasy.