Ile de France 1935

Jean Hélion created "Ile de France", a striking oil on canvas, sometime in the mid-20th century. Hélion, a key figure in the transition from figuration to abstraction, lived through tumultuous times including imprisonment during WWII. In "Ile de France," Hélion presents us with a complex arrangement of geometric forms, in muted blues, greys, and browns which invite us into his visual language that defies traditional representation. While abstract, there's a profound sense of human presence—a silent dialogue about space, form, and identity. The title itself, evokes a specific region in France, grounding the abstraction in a sense of place and belonging. How do these shapes relate to each other and the world around them? Hélion challenges us to ponder the nature of perception, the way we construct meaning, and the silent stories embedded within abstract forms.