Paul Klee's Senecio (1922) is one of the artist's most iconic and recognizable works. The painting features a stylized human face that resembles a mask or a puppet, divided into bold geometric shapes with bright blocks of color—reds, oranges, and yellows dominate the canvas. The face is simplified into basic forms: round eyes, a triangle nose, and a segmented background that adds to the abstract quality.
The title Senecio refers to a genus of flowering plants, but it's unclear whether Klee intended a botanical connection or used the name metaphorically. The artwork is often interpreted as a study in color theory and human expression, reflecting Klee’s interest in primitive art, children’s drawings, and abstract forms.
Created during Klee’s time at the Bauhaus, Senecio shows his experimental approach to art, blending elements of cubism, expressionism, and surrealism. It's currently housed in the Kunstmuseum Basel, Switzerland.
We are using premium paper and frames. Read more about material used. What you see is what you get. A white border is typically added to the artwork to enhance its visual impact. Sometimes the artist name is added.
