Pont Des Arts 1908 - 1911

Henry Lyman Saÿen made this impressionistic painting of the Pont Des Arts with oil on canvas. The bridge is rendered with a thick, almost crusty application of paint, a jumble of mauves and blues which overlay the pale sky. I wonder, did Saÿen attack the canvas with the confidence of youth, layering brushstroke upon brushstroke, each mark building up the image? He builds the bridge by making marks that weave, capturing light and shadow. The violet hues reflect in the water below. I get a sense that he worked quickly, trying to capture a fleeting moment. The red circle on the right pillar is a daring, bold touch. The painting has a raw, unfinished quality, as though Saÿen was more interested in the act of painting than in creating a polished, refined image. It reminds me of Van Gogh, how he fearlessly used color to express his emotions, creating his own new language. This painting feels like an intimate conversation between Saÿen, his materials, and the world around him.