La Racine noire 

Fernand Léger made this painting, La Racine noire, with gouache, ink, and graphite on paper. The image is full of angular, bold forms. We can see Léger's approach to materials in the ways he has applied the gouache, a matte water-based paint, in flat, distinct blocks of color. The solid areas of red, yellow, and blue create a backdrop for the more organic black shapes. The ink lines add another layer, weaving through and around the forms, giving the composition a sense of depth. The artwork's title, "The Black Root," suggests a connection to nature, but the shapes and lines feel more industrial and manufactured. Léger was fascinated by the visual language of the machine age, and the stark contrast between the geometric shapes and the fluid lines reflects this interest. By combining elements of the natural world with those of the industrial landscape, Léger prompts us to consider the relationship between humanity, nature, and the machine. This way of thinking really blurs the line between fine art and everyday life.