Both handlebars 1945

Fernand Léger made this painting, "Both Handlebars," with oil on canvas; its date is unknown. Looking at this piece, what strikes me is how Léger takes these industrial forms, hard-edged and geometric, and somehow makes them playful. The white lines, thick and looping, create a sense of movement, as if they’re perpetually in motion, twisting and turning against the yellow ground. The paint application itself is smooth and deliberate, with each color clearly defined by dark outlines. It's like he's building up the image, piece by piece, with layers of color and form. The small black form in the center reminds me of a kind of primal, almost totemic image. It’s roughly rendered, yet has a definite presence. It’s a good example of how he can invest these simple shapes with a surprising amount of feeling. I’m reminded a little of Stuart Davis, another artist who was interested in bringing the energy of the modern world into painting; both artists embracing a kind of visual exuberance.