The Creation of the World 2 by Fernand Léger

This refined and brightly luminous version takes up the theme of country figures in an open and modernized space. Through this work entitled “The Creation of the World 2”, the painter Fernand Léger celebrates rural life using a universal and accessible visual language. This work shows the evolution of his plastic research towards a separation of color and drawing. The whole exudes a serene atmosphere where man and nature cohabit harmoniously.

The three stylized characters, constructed of cylindrical and flat shapes, stand out clearly against a background of the intense ocher and yellow hills. The intense azure blue sky is animated by an extremely bright yellow sun and large gray and dark clouds. On the left, the human silhouette in red and black faces the elegant white central figure, while on the right, the white cow in profile completes the rural composition. Stylized white birds bring a touch of poetic lightness to this structured landscape. Each shape is outlined by a black line of perfect sharpness, characteristic of the artist’s technique.

The technical virtuosity of the artist is manifested in the use of gouache to obtain flat areas of color of incomparable purity. His mastery of composition makes it possible to harmoniously distribute the colored masses on the flat surface. This work bears witness to a craftsmanship of great maturity.