Passage érosion vermillion 1967

Fernand Leduc's painting "Passage érosion vermillion" presents us with an interplay of bold vermillion and blue forms, evoking a sense of geological forces at play. The vermillion— a color laden with historical significance, once derived from cinnabar, a mineral associated with transformation and alchemy— here suggests the dynamic process of erosion, the very earth being reshaped by time and the elements. Think of the ancient Roman frescoes, where vermillion symbolized vitality and power, or the medieval illuminated manuscripts, where it highlighted sacred texts. Now, consider how Leduc abstracts this potent symbol. It's no longer a mere decorative hue, but a force, a passage. This echoes the continuous, cyclical reshaping of our world and our collective memory. The painting engages us on a subconscious level, reminding us that even in abstraction, the echoes of history persist.