“Sedell,” created by artist Francis Picabia in 1909, is an expressionist landscape painting rendered in oil on canvas. The artwork, measuring 69 by 88 centimeters, embodies the vibrant and emotive characteristics typical of the Expressionism movement.
The composition of “Sedell” is marked by bold, contrasting colors and strong, defined shapes. In the foreground, a flowing body of water is depicted with rhythmic brushstrokes of blues and whites, capturing the dynamic nature of the stream. Dominating the central area of the canvas are abstracted landforms rendered in deep purples, reds, and greens, suggesting rocky formations and vegetation. Above these forms, a backdrop of luminous yellow-green hillocks rises into a pale, serene sky. Picabia’s use of expressive color and form lends the landscape a sense of emotional intensity and subjective experience, inviting viewers to engage with the scene on a visceral level.