Cubist Composition 1917

Henry Lyman Saÿen made this "Cubist Composition" sometime in the early 20th century using paint on canvas. The color palette feels so vibrant, almost playful, even though the subject matter is rather mysterious. You can really sense the process of painting here, it's all about layering and building up these geometric shapes. I'm drawn to the way Saÿen handles the paint, it's not trying to be perfect or realistic. Look closely and you can see the texture, the brushstrokes, the way the colors bleed into each other. The colors are opaque so you can't see what lies beneath. There's this one red circle with a yellow crescent in the lower left, I love how it anchors the whole composition, and the way it contrasts with the angular shapes around it. It reminds me a bit of Leger, that interest in machine forms. Ultimately, I think Saÿen is less concerned with representing something specific, and more interested in creating a dynamic visual experience, a conversation of forms and colors.