André MassonFrench, 1896–1987Paysage au serpent (Landscape with Snake)
Can I see it?
Yes, on view now
Where is “Paysage au serpent (Landscape with Snake)” now? The Cleveland Museum of Art, 225 German Expressionism & Surrealism, Cleveland. Yes, on view now. Checked September 29, 2026.
On public display.
- Checked
- In this state since
- Source
- The museum
About the painting
Surrealists such as André Masson believed that reality could be grasped only by unlocking the secrets of the subconscious mind, where prior knowledge that influences emotions and actions is stored. His pioneering technique, known as automatic painting, emphasized spontaneity, thereby allowing subconscious thoughts to emerge during the creative process. Masson worked rapidly when painting Landscape with Snake, applying gestural brushstrokes over a tan background and gouging through wet paint with a pencil. While forms occasionally coalesce to suggest a snake, a bird, or water flowing through a forest, the true subject is the dynamic process of painting.
The Cleveland Museum of Art
Details
- Accession number
- 2016.55
In the catalog
Sources
- The Cleveland Museum of Art
- Image: The Cleveland Museum of Art — © the artist or rights holder
