Composition, 1950

Gift of the Artist Yolanda Penteado and Ciccillo Matarazzo, São Paulo Harvey Lubitz Fine Art, New York Elca London Gallery, Montreal Private Collection, Toronto

Fernand Léger, "Functions of Painting", New York, 1973, page 168

In this simple composition, the focus is on abstract forms. A red amorphous shape outlined in black dominates the composition, positioned alongside an organic yellow form at the bottom and a smaller geometric black shape in the upper right corner. Black rectangular shapes of varying sizes punctuate the sobriety of the pale blue and white background. The interplay of line, form, and colours animates the configuration, creating a dynamic visual effect that reflects modern life. Léger wrote in 1950: “The plastic life, the picture is made up of harmonious relationships among volumes, lines, and colors. These are the three forces that must govern works of art. If, in organizing these three essential elements harmoniously, one finds that objects, elements of reality, can enter into the composition, it may be better and may give the work more richness.” This gouache was later transformed into a print series of the same name. Created in 1950, it was gifted to Madam Matarazzo in memory of her visit to Léger’s studio in 1952, referring to Yolanda Penteado, the wife of Ciccillo Matarazzo. They were Brazilian philanthropists and collectors who helped establish three major cultural institutions in São Paulo. They were fervent collectors of modern art and acquired several works by Cubists, including Léger, Georges Braque and Pablo Picasso. We are grateful to the Comité Léger for confirming the authenticity of this work.