Repose is a significant preparatory work by the French artist Fernand Léger, executed in 1921. Classified as a drawing, this piece uses simple pencil on paper to capture a figure in a state of rest. This work emerged during Léger’s pivotal shift toward a monumental, classically inspired style following World War I, often referred to as his Neoclassical or Purist phase. While the Cubist explorations of the prior decade had fractured forms, the art Léger produced around 1921 prioritized clarity, smooth contours, and heavy, machine-like figures, reflecting the desire for order and precision prevalent in European culture after the upheaval of the war.
The technique employed in this drawing emphasizes line quality and volume. Léger meticulously uses graphite to define sculptural masses and rounded forms, contrasting sharply with the flatness of the picture plane. Although the subject matter is figurative, the figure embodying Repose is rendered with a powerful sense of geometric stability. This approach transforms the intimate act of drawing into an exercise in architectural form. The drawing serves as a vital example of Léger's method during this period, where he often studied single figures or grouped compositions before translating them into large-scale oil paintings. The precise handling of line reinforces the three-dimensional solidity of the forms.
As an original work on paper, this drawing demonstrates the foundational principles underpinning Léger’s aesthetic output in the early 1920s. The piece provides valuable insight into the design process of one of Modernism’s key architects and highlights the influence of Renaissance structure on the post-Cubist avant-garde. The importance of the work as a study by a major French master means that high-quality reference prints are often utilized for scholarly review. The drawing, Repose, is currently held within the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), affirming its status as a critical representation of post-Cubist European art from the 1921 period.
Important: ArtBee makes no warranties about the copyright status of this artwork. To the best of our knowledge, based on information from the source museum, we believe this work is in the public domain.
You are responsible for determining the rights status and securing any permissions needed for your use. Copyright status may vary by jurisdiction. See our License & Usage page and Terms of Service for details.