Paul Klee (1879-1940), Die Schlange auf der Leiter

Paul Klee (1879-1940)
Die Schlange auf der Leiter
signed 'Klee' (lower right)
oil and watercolor on paper laid down by the artist on board in the artist's frame
11 5/8 x 18 7/8 in. (30 x 48 cm.)
Painted in 1929

Provenance

With Alfred Flechtheim, Berlin and Düsseldorf (1930 and until at least 1932).
With the Mayor Gallery, London (circa 1933-1935).
Peter Watson, London and Paris (acquired from the artist in Switzerland, May 1939).
Confiscated from the above by the Einsatzstab Reichsleiter Rosenberg and transferred to the Jeu de Paume (ERR no. Watson 3) (1 January 1941).
Intended for transfer to Nikolsburg, Moravia (1 August 1944).
Recovered by the French Resistance, and restituted by the Commission de Récupération Artistique to Peter Watson, London and Paris, (29 December 1945 and until at least 1954).
Philip Granville Modern Paintings, London (until 1955).
Berggruen et Cie., Paris (1955 and until 1956).
Galerie Beyeler, Basel.
Harold Diamond, New York (until 1971).
Berggruen et Cie., Paris (acquired from the above, 1971).
Private collection, Paris (acquired from the above, 1971).
Private collection, London (acquired from the above).

THE PROPERTY OF A GENTLEMAN