Curatorial notes
Fernand Léger made this still life painting with a candle, though we are unsure when. Léger came of age during a period marked by rapid industrialization and profound social change. His art captured the dynamism of modern life and the rise of the machine age. In this still life we see a fascination with the interplay between organic and mechanical forms. Léger uses bold colors, geometric shapes, and fragmented compositions to create a sense of movement and vitality. Everyday objects are abstracted and reconfigured. Léger once said that his aim was to “achieve a balance between the object and its surrounding space, and between man and his environment.” Consider how gender, race, and class influenced the creation and reception of Léger’s art. In this piece there is the absence of human figures which invites reflection on the changing nature of labor and social relations. The still life invites us to consider the emotional impact of modernity and the human capacity to adapt to a changing world.