Landscape 1913

Fernand Léger made this landscape, with paint on canvas, using fragmented shapes and subdued, earthy tones. It's like he’s broken down the scene into geometric forms, inviting us to piece it back together in our minds. Look at how Léger plays with texture and surface here; the paint is applied in flat planes, creating a sense of depth through layering rather than traditional perspective. There is a definite focus on the materiality of the paint. The red poles seem to slice through the composition, adding a jolt of energy to the otherwise muted palette. It makes me think about how we navigate space, how our eyes move through a scene, picking up on details and assembling them into a coherent whole. Léger's exploration of geometric abstraction reminds me of other cubists like Braque, but his industrial aesthetic sets him apart. It’s not just about representing what we see, but about capturing the dynamism and energy of the modern world, embracing ambiguity and opening up space for multiple interpretations.