Léger, Fernand: Cubist Engraving – SOLD
£300.00
Out of stock
Description
Artist: Fernand Léger, (French 1881-1955)
Title and date: Cubist Engraving, 1945
Image size: 25 x 20.4 cm
Description: an original aquatint and engraving on Auvergne paper in cubist style, Plate 7 and labelled ‘Cubist Engraving’ from the portfolio, ‘Du Cubisme’ or ‘On Cubism’, 1947, initialled in the plate.
The first major text on Cubism was written in 1912 by Albert Gleizes and Jean Metzinger, a new edition was published in 1947 with an avant-propos by Gleizes and an epilogue by Metzinger. The artists used the occasion to reflect on the evolution of this avant-garde artistic movement 33 years after the appearance of the first publication of ‘Du Cubism’.
More images can be provided on request.
Artist description:
A painter and designer, Fernand Léger was born in Argentan, Normandy. He was apprenticed to an architect at Caen from 1897-9 and moved to Paris in 1900 where he worked as architect’s draughtsman. He also studied at the Ecole des Arts Décoratifs and the Académie Julian. He joined the Cubist movement in 1909 and developed a semi-abstract idiom with dynamic contrasting tubular forms.
His first solo exhibition was at the Galerie Kahnweiler, Paris in 1912. He designed sets and costumes for the ballet, and experimented with mural painting. He took refuge in the USA from 1940-5 where made compositions of divers, acrobats and cyclists. He returned to France in 1945 and was active as a painter, sculptor in ceramic, mosaics and stained glass and designer for the ballet. His series of figure paintings of construction workers and the circus date from this time.