Landscape, Paris
1912-1914
Henry Lyman Saÿen captures the electric energy of Parisian rooftops in this vibrant modernist scene, where a giant, fiery red tree dominates the foreground against a backdrop of teal and yellow buildings. Painted between 1912 and 1914, the piece reflects his deep immersion in the French avant-garde, specifically the bold color experiments of Orphism. Instead of realistic details, Saÿen uses chunky, expressive brushstrokes and clashing hues to convey the feeling of the city rather than its exact geography. The visible cracking across the surface adds a layer of history to this bold, almost abstract celebration of urban life.