Fallen Figure 1939

Jean Helion’s Fallen Figure, made with oil on canvas, is like a puzzle you can feel. He’s using a palette that’s almost shy, muted blues and browns, but they create a strong sense of depth. You can see how he’s layering shapes, building up this…thing. It’s not quite abstract, not quite real, but it’s got this weight to it, like something heavy has collapsed. Look at the texture in the maroon area, it’s almost rough, like a memory that’s been worn down. Then, the geometric shapes pull you out again. It reminds me of Leger, that sense of machine-like forms, but Helion’s got more melancholy, more of a human touch. It’s a reminder that art isn’t about answers, it’s about how we keep seeing, keep feeling our way through the world.