Maud Dale 1935

Fernand Léger made this portrait of Maud Dale with oil on canvas. Imagine the studio, Léger probably working methodically to build up a strong, volumetric form using color and line. The paint looks smooth, almost industrial, devoid of brushstrokes. It’s like he’s trying to make a machine-age version of a classical portrait. I love how he simplifies the figure into these tubular shapes and cylinders. The blue fabric draped over her arm is so sculptural, it's as if Léger wanted to make her into a living statue. He probably wanted to represent her essence, stripping away the unnecessary details. The red curtain in the background is really eye-catching and adds a sense of drama and formality to the scene. Léger must have been thinking about how to merge the human figure with the geometric forms of the modern world. He's in conversation with other artists like Picasso and Braque, but with his own distinct mechanical twist. It reminds us that all artists build on what came before, pushing and pulling in new directions.