--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A tendency toward the abstract is…" description: "\"A tendency toward the abstract is inherent in linear expression: graphic imagery being confined to outlines has a fairy-like quality and at the same ti..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e33/paul-klee-4253_abstract_a-tendency-toward-the-abstract-is-inhere_1427372.jpg" --- # A tendency toward the abstract is inherent in linear… ![“A tendency toward the abstract is inherent in linear expression: graphic imagery being confined to outlines has a fairy-like quality and at the same time can achieve great precision.” quote by Paul Klee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e33/paul-klee-4253_abstract_a-tendency-toward-the-abstract-is-inhere_1427372.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e33/paul-klee-4253_abstract_a-tendency-toward-the-abstract-is-inhere_1427372.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e33/paul-klee-4253_abstract_a-tendency-toward-the-abstract-is-inhere_1427372.jpg) > “A tendency toward the abstract is inherent in linear expression: graphic imagery being confined to outlines has a fairy-like quality and at the same time can achieve great precision.” [Paul Klee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-klee/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Abstract linear art, while simplified, can convey a magical, precise quality through its outline focus. **In simple terms:** Simple lines can be both magical and precise. Key Takeaway Embrace simplicity for powerful expression. Themes art abstraction precision Mood contemplative inspired Type artistic philosophical When to use this quote - graphic design - illustration - education - visual storytelling Key Concepts aesthetics visual language Questions to Reflect On - How does abstraction affect viewer interpretation? - When is detail more effective than outline? A Different Perspective Simplicity may limit depth or emotional nuance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Abstract](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abstract/) [Achieve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/achieve/) [Confined](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/confined/) [Confined Outlines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/confined-outlines-5071338/) [Expression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expression/) [Expression Graphic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expression-graphic-5071337/) [Fairy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fairy/) [Graphic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/graphic/) [Graphic Imagery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/graphic-imagery-5071334/) [Imagery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/imagery/) [Inherent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inherent/) [Inherent Linear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inherent-linear-5071336/) [Linear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/linear/) [Outlines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/outlines/) [Outlines Fairy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/outlines-fairy-5071335/) [Precision](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/precision/) [Quality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/quality/) [Tendencies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tendencies/) ## Related quotes > [Right now I'm doing four shows at a time, trying to read four outlines every week, four scripts every week, and watching four rough…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-spelling/right-now-i-m-doing-four-shows-at-a-time-trying-to-read-four-outlines/) [Aaron Spelling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-spelling/) > [“write whatever comes into your head, as fast as you can type, without reference to outlines, notes, data, books or any other aids. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-s-becker/write-whatever-comes-into-your-head-as-fast-as-you-can-type-without/) [Howard S. Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-s-becker/) > [But the mark of American merit in painting, in sculpture, in poetry, in fiction, in eloquence, seems to be a certain grace withoutgrandeur, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/but-the-mark-of-american-merit-in-painting-in-sculpture-in-poetry-in/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [The outlines of the needed psychology of becoming can be discovered by looking within ourselves; for it is knowledge of our own uniqueness that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-outlines-of-the-needed-psychology-of-becoming-can-be-discovered/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Color in certain places has the great value of making the outlines and structural planes seem more energetic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/color-in-certain-places-has-the-great-value-of-making-the-outlines/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I just don't really get into all that sort of personal negative stuff. My job is to outline some positive plans for the country's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-rudd/i-just-don-t-really-get-into-all-that-sort-of-personal-negative-stuff/) [Kevin Rudd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-rudd/) > [I make extensive outlines before I write a book. I usually know what will happen. I know the characters, and I know what they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amor-towles/i-make-extensive-outlines-before-i-write-a-book-i-usually-know-what/) [Amor Towles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amor-towles/) > [If one really thinks about the body as such, there is no possible outline of the body as such.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gayatri-chakravorty-spivak/if-one-really-thinks-about-the-body-as-such-there-is-no-possible/) [Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gayatri-chakravorty-spivak/) > [The effort of the economist is to "see," to picture the interplay of economic elements. The more clearly cut these elements appear in his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irving-fisher/the-effort-of-the-economist-is-to-see-to-picture-the-interplay-of/) [Irving Fisher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irving-fisher/) > [I don't have very complete scripts for my films. I have a general outline and a character in my mind, and I make no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abbas-kiarostami/i-don-t-have-very-complete-scripts-for-my-films-i-have-a-general/) [Abbas Kiarostami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abbas-kiarostami/) > [With respect to the outlines of what's in the Army Field Manual, there's no doubt in my mind about the limitations it places not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-mattis/with-respect-to-the-outlines-of-what-s-in-the-army-field-manual-there/) [James Mattis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-mattis/) > [ I always begin \[a novel\] with outlines, but they change and so do my endings and beginnings. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sefi-atta/i-always-begin-a-novel-with-outlines-but-they-change-and-so-do-my/) [Sefi Atta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sefi-atta/) > [Trump conducts meetings and actually tries to get something done rather than just have the meeting and rather than just announce a framework and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/trump-conducts-meetings-and-actually-tries-to-get-something-done/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [To each eye, perhaps, the outlines of a great civilization present a different picture. In the wide ocean upon which we venture, the possible…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacob-burckhardt/to-each-eye-perhaps-the-outlines-of-a-great-civilization-present-a/) [Jacob Burckhardt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacob-burckhardt/) > [It outlines the fact that we are twins, we grew up together, but then we went to different colleges and went in separate directions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-white/it-outlines-the-fact-that-we-are-twins-we-grew-up-together-but-then/) [Paula White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-white/) ## More by Paul Klee > [Art makes something a lot more visible or audible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-klee/art-makes-something-a-lot-more-visible-or-audible/) [Paul Klee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-klee/) > [The creation lives as genesis beneath the visible surface of the work. All intelligent people see this after the fact, but only the creative…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-klee/the-creation-lives-as-genesis-beneath-the-visible-surface-of-the-work/) [Paul Klee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-klee/) > [The more horrible this world (as today, for instance), the more abstract our art, whereas a happy world brings forth an art of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-klee/the-more-horrible-this-world-as-today-for-instance-the-more-abstract/) [Paul Klee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-klee/) > [Children also have artistic ability, and there is wisdom in there having it! 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There is no sensuous relationship, not even the noblest, between myself and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-klee/what-my-art-probably-lacks-is-a-kind-of-passionate-humanity-there-is/) [Paul Klee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-klee/) > [The pictorial work was born of movement, is itself recorded movement, and is assimilated through movement (eye muscles).](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-klee/the-pictorial-work-was-born-of-movement-is-itself-recorded-movement/) [Paul Klee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-klee/) > [Democracy with its semi-civilization sincerely cherishes junk. The artists power should be spiritual. But the power of the majority is material. When these worlds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-klee/democracy-with-its-semi-civilization-sincerely-cherishes-junk-the/) [Paul Klee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-klee/) > [My hand is entirely the implement of a distant sphere. 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I know that it has hold of me forever.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-klee/colour-has-taken-hold-of-me-no-longer-do-i-have-to-chase-after-it-i/) [Paul Klee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-klee/) [Explore all 111 Paul Klee quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-klee/) ## More Abstract quotes > [Love is like that, fragile and light. No wonder it rests upon our hearts in intangible moments, bids us follow fleeting thoughts and ideas…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/love-is-like-that-fragile-and-light-no-wonder-it-rests-upon-our/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Wisdom is the abstract of the past, but beauty is the promise of the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/wisdom-is-the-abstract-of-the-past-but-beauty-is-the-promise-of-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Where human eyes have never seen, where human beings have never been, I build a world of abstract dreams, and I wait for you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-ra/where-human-eyes-have-never-seen-where-human-beings-have-never-been-i/) [Sun Ra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-ra/) > [A little too abstract, a little too wise, It is time for us to kiss the earth again, It is time to let the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robinson-jeffers/a-little-too-abstract-a-little-too-wise-it-is-time-for-us-to-kiss-the/) [Robinson Jeffers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robinson-jeffers/) > [“Happy is very abstract, you can't touch it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julius-veal/happy-is-very-abstract-you-can-t-touch-it/) [Julius Veal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julius-veal/) > [Abstract Expressionism was invented by New York drunks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-mitchell/abstract-expressionism-was-invented-by-new-york-drunks/) [Joni Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-mitchell/) > [The more horrible this world (as today, for instance), the more abstract our art, whereas a happy world brings forth an art of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-klee/the-more-horrible-this-world-as-today-for-instance-the-more-abstract/) [Paul Klee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-klee/) > [Describing comic sensibility is near impossible. It's sort of an abstract silliness, that sometimes the joke isn't the star.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dana-carvey/describing-comic-sensibility-is-near-impossible-it-s-sort-of-an/) [Dana Carvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dana-carvey/) > [For people of color - especially African Americans - the idea that racist cops might frame members of their community is no abstract notion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-wise/for-people-of-color-especially-african-americans-the-idea-that-racist/) [Tim Wise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-wise/) > [The word of the Lord never comes to us as an opinion, no attempt is made to support it by argument, it comes as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-w-ivins/the-word-of-the-lord-never-comes-to-us-as-an-opinion-no-attempt-is/) [Anthony W. Ivins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-w-ivins/) > [A mobile is an abstract sculpture made chiefly out of sheet metal, steel rods, wire and wood. Some or all of these elements move,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-calder/a-mobile-is-an-abstract-sculpture-made-chiefly-out-of-sheet-metal/) [Alexander Calder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-calder/) > [I'm this superphilosophical kind of person. 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Painting operates through signs which are not abstract and incorporeal like words. The signs of painting are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-dubuffet/painting-is-a-richer-language-than-words-painting-operates-through/) [Jean Dubuffet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-dubuffet/) [Browse all 1,403 Abstract quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abstract/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "A tendency toward the abstract is inherent in linear expression: graphic imagery being confined to outlines has a fairy-like quality and at the same time can achieve great precision.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Paul Klee" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-klee/a-tendency-toward-the-abstract-is-inherent-in-linear-expression/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Abstract" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-klee/a-tendency-toward-the-abstract-is-inherent-in-linear-expression/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e33/paul-klee-4253_abstract_a-tendency-toward-the-abstract-is-inhere_1427372.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e33/paul-klee-4253_abstract_a-tendency-toward-the-abstract-is-inhere_1427372.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e33/paul-klee-4253_abstract_a-tendency-toward-the-abstract-is-inhere_1427372.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“A tendency toward the abstract is inherent in linear expression: graphic imagery being confined to outlines…” — Paul Klee", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Paul Klee", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-klee/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "A tendency toward the abstract is...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-klee/a-tendency-toward-the-abstract-is-inherent-in-linear-expression/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-klee/a-tendency-toward-the-abstract-is-inherent-in-linear-expression/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```