Fernand Léger, Still life with blue jug and fruit, 1950 by Atelier Liesjes

A vibrant and abstract still life in which Léger places a blue jug at the centre, surrounded by bright red fruits, stylised leaves and flowers. The composition is dynamic and rhythmic, built from powerful black outlines and a palette of primary colours: red, blue, yellow and green.

The background consists of expressive areas of colour and geometric patterns, giving the work a modern, almost mechanistic energy. Despite the traditional subject matter (jug, fruit, flowers), Léger transforms the scene into a visual symphony of shape and colour - typical of his late style in which decoration and abstraction merge.

Fernand Léger was a French artist born in Argentan, Normandy. He began his career as an architectural draftsman before devoting himself entirely to painting. In Paris, he studied at the École des Beaux-Arts and the Académie Julian, where he came into contact with avant-garde artists such as Robert Delaunay and Marc Chagall.

Léger is considered an important representative of cubism, but he soon developed his own style that was distinct from that of Picasso and Braque. His work is characterised by:

Geometric forms: He used cylindrical and mechanical structures to abstract people and objects.

Bright, contrasting colours: Léger often chose bright areas of colour that he juxtaposed to create depth and rhythm.

Industrial and modern theme: His paintings often reflect the dynamics of the modern city and technology.

Figurative elements: After World War I, his works became more accessible and included more recognisable human figures.

His style influenced later movements such as pop art and he also worked with film, mosaic and sculpture.