Mise-en-scène for the ballet La Création du monde 1922

Fernand Léger made this drawing for the ballet La Création du monde, and it's like diving into a world being built from scratch. You can see that he is interested in a simplified, almost mechanical, way of representing the human figure. Look at the textures, how he uses the pencil to create dark, shadowy areas, and softer gradients. See the figure on the left, and how it emerges from this bowl-like form. Notice the fine hatching and cross-hatching. The mountains and the sky are simplified, almost like stage flats. Léger’s interest in the relationship between humans and machines reminds me of Picabia, although Léger’s approach feels more grounded, less chaotic. Ultimately, this drawing asks us to consider the basic elements that make up a world, whether it's on a stage or in our minds. The world is created, but the conversation never stops.