Femme nue 1921

"Femme nue" (1921) by Fernand Léger depicts a nude female figure rendered in simplified, geometric forms characteristic of Cubism. Léger's signature style, often referred to as "tubism," breaks down the human form into cylindrical and rounded shapes, emphasizing volume and solidity. The figure, composed of overlapping planes and contrasting light and dark values, appears both static and dynamic, reflecting the artist's fascination with the interplay of form and space. The use of charcoal creates a sense of depth and dimensionality, further emphasizing the geometric construction of the image. This work, while depicting a nude figure, avoids sensuality, instead focusing on the abstract qualities of the human form and the possibilities of geometric representation.