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Nature Morte

Fernand Léger

Artwork Details

Nature Morte
1951
Fernand Léger
lithograph on paper
5 9/16 in x 8 7/8 in (14.13 cm x 22.54 cm);5 9/16 in x 8 7/8 in (14.13 cm x 22.54 cm);5 3/8 in x 7 11/16 in (13.65 cm x 19.53 cm);14 5/16 in x 19 5/16 in (36.35 cm x 49.05 cm)
Gift of Mrs. Florence L. Stol
1964/2.47

Description

Subject Matter:

Lithography, and printmaking in general, is a medium which Léger took up only very late in his career; he died in 1955. In works such as Nature Morte, Léger often returned to subjects he had explored throughout his career. This still life represents Léger's conceptual idea of creating "realistic" paintings. He believed that focusing on the simple form and color, and introducing new perspectives would allow one to find the true nature and beauty of the everyday world around them.

Physical Description:

This color lithograph shows an abstract still life in warm yellow and orange colors. In the center is a large, roundish yellow shape outlined in black, perhaps a plate. On it is a red form with two protruding, spiky, fork-like prongs at each end. Above this sits a white rectangular shape with three bumps along its top edge. To the right is a long curved shape. The outside of the curve is blue, the inside white. Two additional rectangular, striated objects come in from the edges. The paper has some brown staining around the edges.

Usage Rights:

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