The tug 

Fernand Léger's “The Tug” employs bold lines and contrasting colors to construct a scene that feels both representational and abstract. The painting is divided horizontally into distinct zones of blue, orange, and yellow, each demarcated by stark, black lines suggesting water and architectural elements. The composition balances flat planes of color with linear elements that evoke depth, such as the converging lines of the tug's mast. The use of primary colors, coupled with black and white, creates a visual tension, disrupting traditional perspective in favor of a flattened, almost diagrammatic space. Léger’s interest in depicting the industrial world is evident in the geometric forms that make up the tugboat and surrounding structures. These forms are not merely representational but serve to highlight the underlying structure of the subject, reflecting Léger's engagement with machine aesthetics. The overall effect is a dynamic interplay between form and color, inviting the viewer to decode the visual language of modernity.