Birds on a yellow background 

Fernand Léger made this oil on canvas painting called ‘Birds on a Yellow Background’. The doves in the painting bring to mind peace and harmony, concepts explored by artists following the Second World War. Léger made this image in France, a country healing from the trauma of war. We can see the influence of his earlier enthusiasm for machine aesthetics in the shapes and forms around the birds, which are reminiscent of cogs or parts of machines. The dove, an ancient symbol, was used by Pablo Picasso in his poster for the World Peace Congress in 1949, establishing it as a potent symbol of hope. The painting raises questions about art’s capacity to influence society and promote positive change. By consulting historical documents, letters, and critical reviews, we can better understand the artist’s intentions and the painting’s cultural impact. The meaning of art is never fixed but evolves within its social and institutional context.