The Accordionist 1930

Fernand Léger made this drawing of The Accordionist in 1930 with ink on paper. The way he uses line is what grabs me first; it’s so alive. Look at how the shading is created through a mass of tiny strokes, almost frantic, but somehow controlled. This frenetic energy gives real depth to the image. Léger is playing with a limited palette - just black ink on a tan background - yet he creates a rich texture. The contrast between the solid black outlines and the scribbled shading is really exciting. Focus in on the hands; they’re so simplified, almost geometric, yet they convey a real sense of tension, like they’re caught in the act of playing. The accordion itself is this blocky, almost architectural form. Léger was clearly influenced by the Machine Age, and you can see it in the way he renders even organic forms like hands with a mechanical precision. I find myself thinking about Picasso and Braque too, but Léger brings his own unique energy to the conversation. What a great piece!