Head constructor 1950

Fernand Léger made this painting, "Head Constructor," with oil on canvas; it measures 50 by 45 centimeters. I can imagine Léger painting this, moving around the canvas and thinking: how do you construct a face, piece by piece? What is essential? Look how the thick, graphic lines define the subject! Those strong contours, like the outline of the cap, or the curves around the eyes, create a bold, almost architectural structure. I’m reminded of other artists, like Picasso, who were also interested in breaking down forms and reassembling them in new ways. It's like Léger is saying: this is how I see the modern person, built from simple, solid shapes. The way he flattens the image also seems to be interested in how we see. There’s a back-and-forth between flatness and depth, line and form. Artists are always in conversation, aren't they? Taking cues, riffing, and responding. And, for me, painting is this constant act of inquiry. It never stops!