Lars Berg

Otto Ralfs was one of Paul Klee's most important patrons. He not only owned the largest Klee collection, but also initiated the founding of the first »Klee-Gesellschaft« in 1925. The number of members was deliberately limited to a small circle of people in order to guarantee a certain exclusivity. Klee distributed not only prints but also drawings and watercolours as annual gifts. With the help of the contributions paid by the members, Klee was guaranteed an annual income that made him independent of the art trade. The first »Klee-Gesellschaft«, founded by Otto Ralfs, recorded numerous resignations in 1933 after the National Socialists came to power and had to cease its activities in 1935, at least in Germany. The essay describes the role of Otto Ralfs, who was also chairman of the »Gesellschaft der Freunde junger Kunst« in Braunschweig, as a collector and organiser of exhibitions. The focus is on the founding of the »Klee-Gesellschaft«, its structure and its members.