The Tree of Paradise 1929

"The Tree of Paradise" was painted with oil on canvas by Seraphine Louis, sometime in the early 20th century. Look at this riot of color! The paint is applied with such intensity, like a garden bursting into bloom, and an eye staring out at you. It’s such a personal vision. I can see her working, building up layers, almost obsessively. I can really feel the texture here, see how the paint is thick in some places, thin and washy in others. Check out that eye peeking out from the leaves near the top of the tree. The sharp blue and the surrounding dark blob. It’s like a window, or maybe a warning. The whole painting feels like a journey into a dream, a lush, strange, beautiful dream. You could get lost in the details. It reminds me of some of the visionary paintings by Hilma af Klint, but with an even more raw and visceral energy. Ultimately, this piece is about embracing the unknown and finding beauty in the unexpected.