Deux fruits et des fleurs jaunes 1952

This painting by Fernand Léger features hard-edged forms and colours, like reds, yellows and greens, carefully arranged into a still life. I can imagine Léger building up the image step by step, working out which shapes and colours should go where. I wonder if he saw the forms first, followed by the colours, or if it was the other way around. Look at how the objects are outlined in black, giving a sense of clarity to the composition. I feel a sense of order, but also a bit of playfulness in the work. Léger's use of simple shapes reminds me a little bit of Cubism, where objects are broken down into geometric forms. Ultimately, this painting is not about fixed or definitive readings. It's an invitation to engage with the artist's process and imagine the possibilities of abstraction. Fernand Léger is teaching us how to see.