Décor Plat

“Décor Plat” (1915) by Henry Lyman Sayen
is a vibrant and energetic landscape painting that captures an abstracted view of a park or garden scene. The composition is dominated by bold, expressive brushstrokes and a palette of bright, saturated colors—greens, oranges, reds, yellows, and blues. Trees with bare branches stretch across the foreground, while the rolling hills, pathways, and patches of grass are broken down into geometric shapes, lending the piece a modernist, abstract quality. The scene feels alive with movement, as the winding paths and rhythmic curves of the land lead the viewer’s eye across the composition. Sayen’s use of color and form gives the painting a sense of vitality and freshness, reflecting the influence of Fauvism and early modernist abstraction.

Henry Lyman Sayen (1875–1918) was an American painter and inventor who was deeply influenced by the Fauvist and Cubist movements during his time spent in Paris in the early 20th century. Fauvism, which emphasized the use of bold, unnatural colors and loose brushwork, was particularly significant in shaping Sayen’s artistic style. Sayen’s “Décor Plat” (1915) reflects the influence of artists such as Henri Matisse and André Derain, who prioritized color over form and embraced abstraction. Sayen was also exposed to Cubism, which is evident in his breaking down of natural forms into geometric shapes. By 1915, Sayen was experimenting with these modernist ideas, creating works that challenged traditional landscape painting and reflected the broader artistic innovations of the time.

In “Décor Plat”, Sayen uses bold, gestural brushstrokes and a bright color palette to create a sense of movement and energy. The lines of the trees and paths are simplified and abstracted, while the fields and hills are broken into geometric shapes, giving the composition a fragmented, dynamic quality. Sayen’s use of color is highly expressive, with patches of bright green, red, yellow, and blue juxtaposed to create contrast and depth. The painting shows a balance between abstraction and a sense of place, as the viewer can still recognize the elements of a landscape despite the distortion of forms. His thick application of paint and loose, flowing brushwork give the painting texture and vitality, evoking the style of Fauvism.

“Décor Plat” can be interpreted as a celebration of nature’s vibrancy and the artist’s emotional response to the landscape. The abstracted forms and bold colors suggest a desire to capture the essence of the landscape rather than a literal representation. The rhythmic curves of the land and the bright, expressive colors may symbolize the constant motion and energy of nature, while the simplified, geometric shapes reflect the modernist emphasis on abstraction and form. The painting can also be seen as a dialogue between nature and modernity, with the artist breaking down natural forms into abstract elements that reflect the rapidly changing world of the early 20th century.

Henry Lyman Sayen’s work, including “Décor Plat”, represents an important intersection
of American and European modernism. Sayen’s adoption of Fauvist and Cubist techniques helped introduce these avant-garde movements to the United States, influencing future generations of American modernists. While Sayen’s career was cut short by his early death in 1918, his works remain significant for their bold use of color and abstraction, and their role in the development of modernist art in America. “Décor Plat” continues to resonate with contemporary audiences for its vibrant energy
and innovative approach to landscape painting, reflecting the broader artistic experimentation of the early 20th century.

Add a burst of vibrant energy to your home with Henry Lyman Sayen’s “Décor Plat” (1915), a striking abstract landscape that brings bold color and dynamic movement into any space. This high-quality gallery-wrapped canvas print captures the expressive brushstrokes and vibrant hues of Sayen’s original work, making it a perfect addition to your living room, office, or creative space. Built with a solid frame to prevent warping, the canvas will stay tight and flat for years to come. Available in multiple sizes and framed in walnut or black, this artwork brings the vitality of modernism to your walls, offering a fresh, dynamic focal point for any room.