Characters in the truck 

Fernand Léger's "Characters in the Truck" presents us with a tableau of figures amidst a scene dominated by hard lines and bold forms. The figures, some in striped attire, evoke a sense of labor and collective movement. Note how the striped motif, historically associated with outcasts or laborers, resurfaces here. We find echoes of this symbolism in earlier art forms, such as medieval depictions of the damned, or even the garments worn by harlequins in commedia dell'arte. The raised arm of one figure, reaching towards the sky, is reminiscent of classical depictions of supplication or aspiration, like we see in antique art. This gesture, charged with emotion, creates a link between past and present, engaging us at a subconscious level. Ultimately, the composition embodies a continuous, cyclical return of symbols, reminding us that visual elements are constantly evolving, and acquiring new meanings across time.