Senecio (Baldgreis) (1922) painting by Paul Klee Poster

"Senecio" (also known as "Head of a Man Going Senile") is a 1922 oil on canvas painting by Swiss artist Paul Klee. This Cubist artwork is housed in the Kunstmuseum Basel. The painting features an abstract representation of a human head, divided into rectangles of orange, pink, yellow, and white. The geometric shapes within the circular face resemble a mask or the patches of a harlequin. Klee's use of simple colours and shapes, along with the illusion of a raised eyebrow created by a triangle and a curved line, adds a playful and humourous touch to the portrait. "Senecio" demonstrates Klee's artistic principles, where lines, colour planes, and space are set in motion by the energy from the artist's mind. The painting intentionally mimics children's artwork, using ambiguous shapes and minimal facial details to evoke a sense of simplicity and whimsy.