The worker sitting 

Fernand Léger’s mural, ‘The worker sitting,’ presents a modern, stylized pastoral scene. Notice how the women reach towards the sky, accompanied by a winged bird perched overhead, and adorned with rich vegetation. This is a timeless gesture, echoing the ‘orant’ figures in early Christian art, raising their hands in prayer or supplication. The motif of upraised hands is far older than Christianity itself. It appears in ancient Egyptian art, where it signifies reverence and connection to the divine. In this mural, the upraised hands, combined with the natural imagery, suggest a reverence for the life-giving forces of nature, resonating with the collective human desire for harmony and connection with the world around us. The psychological impact of these gestures is powerful; they evoke a sense of hope, aspiration, and our deep-seated need for connection. These are powerful forces engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level. The recurring motif continues to evolve, mirroring our ever-changing relationship with nature. It is cyclical, constantly resurfacing and adapting in response to our collective experiences.