Fernand Leger

Fernand Leger was a French painter born in 1881, who is considered to be a Cubist, though more specifically his art is described as “machine art”. This style used bold colours to model mechanistic forms. He started off as an architect but later went on to study at the Paris School of Decorative Arts. Here he met many different artists, some close with the famous Pablo Pacasso. At this time Fernand had been painting in impressionist/ fauvist style, which was starting to evolve into the cubist style. He started breaking down figures with cylinders and tubular shapes.

Leger later fought in WW1 as a mechanical engineer, upon returning he had a new fascination with motors, gears, railways and factory interiors. He started using this fascination in his work and illustration figures with shapes in a mechanical looking way, to distinguish the style he is known for. I like Fernand Legers work, I think it’s very captivating to look at with lots of different levels to it. I wouldn’t describe it as beautiful but it is highly interesting.

“Soldier with a Pipe”
Image taken from wikiart.org
“Trouville”
Image taken from Wikiart.org
“smokers”
Image taken from Wikiart.org
“landscape”
Image taken from Wikiart.org
“Composition”
Image taken from Wikiart.org

Works Cited

McMullen, Roy Donald. “Fernand Léger.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 13 Aug. 2019, www.britannica.com/biography/Fernand-Leger.