Zinnias 1909 - 1912

Henry Lyman Saÿen’s "Zinnias" is an oil painting, notable for its thick application of pigment. Saÿen, part of the modernist movement, engages with the materiality of paint itself. The brushstrokes are clearly visible, adding texture and depth to the composition. The yellow-green vase shimmers, reflecting light in the same way as the flowers. The composition is not just a representation but also an exploration of the inherent qualities of paint. Traditionally, oil painting, with its capacity for realism, was seen as high art. Saÿen's rough, expressive brushwork and the intense colors challenge this convention. The flowers are crudely painted, without the delicate strokes typical of botanical illustration. He seems less interested in meticulous realism, and more interested in the physical qualities of the paint, and the intensity of his own experience. By emphasizing the materiality of his medium, Saÿen blurs the lines between the act of painting and the subject it represents. He elevates the labor of production to a position of prominence in the final work.