Contrast of forms 1914

Fernand Léger made "Contrast of Forms," an oil on canvas, during a period of intense change and upheaval, just before the outbreak of World War One. Léger's work exists within a complex dialogue between the rise of industrialization and the avant-garde art movements which sought to represent this shift. It moves away from traditional artistic representation, embracing abstraction to capture the dynamism of modern life. The fragmented geometric shapes and the interplay of color evoke the sense of a world in flux. Consider the impact of the war on artists, and the radical shift in perception it engendered. Léger himself served in the French army and was deeply affected by his experiences. He noted that war "completely transformed me. When I returned to Paris, I no longer hesitated." This sentiment reflects a broader societal reckoning with the brutality of war, and a desire to break from the past. The artwork becomes a reflection on how individuals process these collective experiences and attempt to make sense of a rapidly changing world.