Fernand Léger French, 1881-1955

Fernand Léger was a French painter, draftsman, sculptor, and filmmaker, widely regarded as one of the pioneers of modern art. Born in Argentan, Normandy, he moved to Paris in 1900, where he encountered the emerging artistic avant-garde. Initially influenced by Impressionism, he soon embraced Cubism, working alongside Picasso and Braque, yet quickly developed his own distinct and recognizable style.

His work is marked by bold geometric forms, bright colors, and a deep fascination with modern life, machinery, and the working class. Léger sought to make art accessible to all, creating murals, stained glass windows, theatrical sets, and experimental films. Politically engaged, he advocated for a populist vision of art and was involved in many public art initiatives.

His prolific and deeply humanist body of work is now held in major international museums such as the Centre Pompidou, MoMA, and the Guggenheim. The Musée national Fernand Léger in Biot (Alpes-Maritimes) is dedicated entirely to his legacy.