Lithograph, 1954
Edition: 59/75
Publisher: Galerie Louise Leiris (Paris)
Printer: Atelier Mourlot (Paris)
Catalogue: Saphire 138
Paper size: 50 × 65 cm
Image size: 44 × 56 cm
Signed in pencil
With certificate of authenticity
Condition: Excellent
This work is currently stored at our partner gallery in France. While its condition is rated as excellent by French standards, please note that evaluation criteria for aged items may differ between France and Japan. We kindly ask you to consider potential signs of age (such as stains, discoloration, creases, wrinkles, sun damage, etc.) inherent in vintage items before purchase. Please be aware that we have not physically inspected the item. As the work is currently in France, please allow at least two weeks for delivery after placing your order. Due to the nature of the artwork, returns cannot be accepted after purchase.
Fernand Léger (1881–1955) was one of the earliest practitioners of Cubism in the early 20th century. His style is sometimes referred to as "tubism" due to the tubular forms seen in his motifs. In 1925, he established his reputation by exhibiting at the Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes in Paris, in the "Pavillon de l'Esprit Nouveau" designed by Le Corbusier.
This work features the motif of tree trunks, a recurring theme in Léger's work, inspired by his Tubist period in the 1910s. In the 1930s, he added the motif of "roots," with rounded, flexible forms reminiscent of climbing plants.
This lithograph was created in 1954, but its origins date back to 1952. It belongs to a prolific period from 1948 until his death in 1955, during which he produced approximately 20 lithographs. Léger prioritized the precise reproduction of color, relying on Atelier Mourlot in Paris for its execution.
In this work, a vibrant yellow serves as the background, highlighting the trunk motif rendered in green and brown. These highly stylized, almost abstract forms evoke the metal beams of construction sites that Léger frequently depicted.
On the left side of the composition, a brown form is nestled within a black beam-like shape, suggesting mechanical assembly. Combining different forms to create a harmonious whole was Léger's primary interest. This work exhibits a completeness reminiscent of solid structures.
Furthermore, delicate lines of hatching and guilloche add a tension akin to pen-and-ink drawings. Long gray touches placed on the black beams evoke light reflecting off metal pipes, creating a sense of volume and depth. This also demonstrates how closely the printmaking technique of lithography can approach painting.
About Fernand Léger
Fernand Léger (1881–1955) was a leading French modern painter of the early 20th century. While influenced by Cubism, he established his unique expression, known for powerful compositions centered on the "contrast" of form, color, and volume.
After his experiences in World War I, he developed a "mechanical style" incorporating modern motifs such as machines and cities. After the war, his work evolved to feature more vibrant colors and voluminous figures, creating clear and vital canvases.
Léger was active in a wide range of fields beyond painting, including murals, stage design, and architectural collaborations, leaving a significant mark on the development of modern art.
