Trees

“Trees” (ca. 1912-1914) by Henry Lyman Sayen
is a vibrant, abstract painting that captures an urban landscape filled with bold, colorful trees and buildings. Sayen’s use of saturated colors—bright yellows, reds, blues, and greens—gives the composition an energetic and almost playful quality. The trees are depicted with exaggerated, almost abstract shapes, particularly the large, striking yellow tree at the center of the composition, which dominates the foreground. The surrounding buildings are also rendered in abstract, geometric forms, with expressive brushstrokes and high contrast between shadowed and illuminated areas. The overall effect is dynamic and highly stylized, reflecting Sayen’s engagement with Fauvism and early modernist movements.

Henry Lyman Sayen (1875-1918) was an American artist influenced by the European avant-garde movements of the early 20th century, particularly Fauvism and Cubism. These movements emphasized bold color, abstraction, and a rejection of traditional perspective. By the time Sayen created “Trees” in the early 1910s, he had been living in Paris, where he absorbed the techniques and ideas of artists like Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso. Fauvism, known for its wild, expressive use of color, had a significant impact on Sayen’s work, and “Trees” reflects this influence. Sayen’s application of vivid, unnatural colors and abstract forms reflects the broader artistic experimentation of the time, as artists sought to move away from realistic representation and explore new ways of interpreting the world.

In “Trees”, Sayen employs a Fauvist palette, characterized by intense, non-naturalistic colors and expressive brushstrokes. The large yellow tree at the center is highly stylized, with its broad, fan-like shapes painted in thick, bold strokes that contrast with the darker, more angular forms of the buildings in the background. The color contrast—between the bright yellow, red, and green foliage and the deep blues and blacks of the urban structures—creates a vibrant visual rhythm. The flattened perspective and geometric simplification of both the trees and buildings reflect Sayen’s interest in Cubism, while the vibrant, emotional color palette is drawn from Fauvism. Sayen’s brushwork is loose and gestural, adding to the painting’s dynamic, almost chaotic energy.

“Trees” can be seen as a celebration of color and form, where nature and the built environment collide in a riot of bold shapes and hues. The trees, particularly the dominant yellow one, may symbolize the vitality and resilience of nature within the urban landscape. The exaggerated colors and abstracted forms suggest an emotional or psychological interpretation of the scene, rather than a literal one, aligning with Fauvism’s emphasis on personal expression through color. The juxtaposition of the organic shapes of the trees with the rigid, geometric buildings may also reflect a tension between the natural world and modern industrialization, a common theme in early 20th-century art.

Although Henry Lyman Sayen is less well-known than some of his contemporaries, his work represents an important intersection of American and European modernism. “Trees” showcases Sayen’s innovative use of color and abstraction, placing him within the broader context of early 20th-century avant-garde movements. His ability to fuse the techniques of Fauvism and Cubism helped pave the way for future American abstract artists. For contemporary audiences, Sayen’s work remains relevant for its vibrant, expressive style and its exploration of the relationship between nature and the modern world. The bold use of color and abstraction in “Trees” continues to captivate viewers and offers a fresh, modern aesthetic that resonates with today’s appreciation for expressive, abstract art.

Bring the vibrant energy of modernism into your space with Henry Lyman Sayen’s “Trees” (ca. 1912-1914). This stunning gallery-wrapped canvas print captures the bold colors and abstract forms of Sayen’s original work, making it a perfect statement piece for any room. Available in multiple sizes, this canvas art features a solid face to prevent warping and maintain its crisp, dynamic appearance. Choose between walnut and black frame options to match your decor and let the expressive brushstrokes and striking colors of this early 20th-century masterpiece transform your space. Ideal for living rooms, offices, or creative spaces, this artwork adds a touch of modernist sophistication and boldness to your decor.