Rooftops, Paris 1909 - 1912

Henry Lyman Saÿen made this painting, 'Rooftops, Paris', with oil on canvas, though its date is unknown. He’s clearly enjoying the stuff of paint, trowelling it on with juicy, visible marks. It’s all about process, not some illusion of reality. Check out how those strokes build up the clouds, thick and almost sculptural. Then drop down to the buildings. There's a real sense of colour vibration and harmony going on, with the balance of soft pinks, greens, and blues. The colours are doing some heavy lifting here, rather than any fine detail. Notice that he simplifies everything into shapes and blocks of colour. Look at the way he suggests form, like the curve of the trees using small, broad brushstrokes. It reminds me a little of Milton Avery, with its colour palette and slightly wonky drawing. Both of them show how painting can be this amazing conversation across time. It’s not about getting things “right”, but about the push and pull of ideas and the joy of putting paint to canvas.