The Mechanic 1920

Fernand Léger's "The Mechanic" at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts is, for me, a celebration of form and labour, made with oil paint that gives it a real material weight. Look at how Léger simplifies the figure, breaking it down into cylinders and cones, almost like a machine itself. The colour is applied in flat blocks of tones, creating a sense of depth and volume without traditional shading. Notice the arm; it’s like a solid piece of metal, and the tattoo is just another graphic element. This isn’t about the individual as much as it is about the physical act of making, of working. The crisp edges and clean lines give everything a sense of precision and order. It's a bit like some of the work of Stuart Davis, who also found dynamism in everyday objects. What’s brilliant here is that Léger isn’t just showing us a mechanic; he’s showing us the beauty and the strength in the ordinary, and in doing so he’s re-imagining what art can be.