Senecio 1922 By Paul Klee

Senecio by Paul Klee

Paul Klee’s Senecio represents an abstracted human face symbolizing aging, identity, and transformation, expressed through simplified geometry and expressive color.

Painted in 1922, Senecio by Paul Klee is a fascinating example of Cubism and the Expressionist art movement. Measuring just 40 by 38 centimeters, it is a colorful example of the artist's colorful paintings. Klee's art creates an intense emotional connection, and his paintings are among our most popular oil painting reproductions. Paul Klee's 1928 Cat and Bird can be loosely compared to Senecio through its shared use of abstraction, symbolic imagery, and simplified facial structure.

What is the Meaning of this Paul Klee Artwork?

Sometimes referred to as "Head of a Man Going Senile," the painting represents a round face divided into squares of color. The eyes gaze inquiringly with one eyebrow raised, while the figure appears to slowly morph into or arise from the bright orange and yellow background.  As the name suggests, the painting alludes to themes of aging and senescence. 

The flat geometric, brightly colored squares could reference a mask or the patches on a harlequin’s outfit. Linking to the fears we all have about growing older and losing our mental capacities and vigor, it’s a fascinating portrait. Indeed, the painting's title draws out the connections between mask-wearing and aging. 

Senecio means 'Old Man' in Latin and was also a well-known performer. The figure’s raised eyebrow suggests that although the mask of senility is creeping in, the man’s intelligence and individuality still shine through. The simplicity of form is evident in Paul Klee's painting and touches on his interest in African tribal masks. This is referenced in other Paul Klee's oil paintings,  such as Exuberance, Death, and Fire.

Why did Paul Klee Paint Senecio?

Paul Klee never wrote explicitly about his reasons for creating his famous painting. However, it is particularly notable for its cubist influence. As a 20th-century avant-garde art movement, Cubism paintings focus on analyzing and breaking down objects and people into abstract forms. 

While Klee's famous Senecio painting maintains a single viewpoint, he also presents several divides and cross-sections within the oil painting. These unusual dividing lines encourage viewers to assess the older man from numerous intellectual and visual perspectives. On the one hand, the portrait presents a humorous, wry figure full of inner life. 

From another perspective, the older man’s round face assumes an innocent, childlike appearance. Paul Klee's painting also intensely investigates color theory. The use of color particularly fascinated the artist, who wrote and lectured on the topic throughout his career. 

Similar orange and red tones are evident in another of Paul Klee's artworks, painted just six years after Senecio. Paul Klee's Castle and Sun (1928) also employs simple geometric forms, such as triangles, squares, and circles, to depict an abstract cityscape. The work’s joyfulness and brightness make it one of Paul Klee's most popular paintings.

What Medium is Klee's Senecio Painting In?

Senecio is an oil on canvas painting. Amongst paintings of abstract faces, it’s particularly expressive. Indeed, Paul Klee’s expert use of lines and ambiguous shapes demonstrates his skill in creating compositions from simple graphic elements. He once claimed these elements were set in motion by the artist’s mind. While the paint initially appears haphazardly scraped onto the canvas, Klee carefully planned every detail of his colors and lines. 

The geometric methods used in Senecio make it exceptionally well-respected among artists today.

Where is Paul Klee's Famous Painting?

The painting currently resides in the Kunstmuseum. Based in Basel, Switzerland. This museum boasts the world's oldest public art collection. It is renowned as Switzerland's most important museum, with a heritage dating back to the purchase of a Hans Holbein work in 1661. 

In addition to famous Renaissance oil paintings, the Museum holds many artworks from the Dutch Golden Age, including paintings by  Peter Paul Rubens and Rembrandt van Rijn. However, the Museum’s collection mainly focuses on Cubist oil paintings. In addition to a unique collection of paintings by Paul Klee, the museum holds artwork by Picasso, Georges Braque, and Juan Gris. 

Oil Painting Reproductions of Paul Klee’s Senecio

Authentic hand-painted oil reproduction of Senecio by Paul Klee, available in multiple sizes and finishes.

Bring Paul Klee’s Senecio into your space with museum-style craftsmanship you can trust. Our oil painting reproductions are created by skilled professional artists, using traditional techniques to capture Klee’s distinctive color blocks, clean geometry, and expressive character.  Every painting is then carefully inspected throughout the process for accuracy, and finally, before shipping. Explore our curated 20th-century collection for more oil painting reproductions of famous colorful paintings by Paul Klee, and choose the size and finish that fits your room with confidence.