Fernand Léger Joseph Fernand Henri Léger was born on February 4, 1881in Argentan, France. Initially interested in architecture, Léger apprenticed with an architect in Caen from 1897-1899. He then moved to Paris, where he applied to the Ecole des Beaux Arts. Despite being rejected, Léger attended classes there while also studying at the Académie Julian. While in Paris, Léger was introduced to the works of the Impressionists, and this greatly affected his early style of painting. By 1911, however, Léger had met Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque, who introduced him to cubism. This resulted in a greater abstraction of Léger’s personal work. From 1912-1914, Léger limited his color palette and began to explore various comparisons, such as the differences between shallow and deep, straight and rounded; his “Contrast of Forms” series was produced as an effect of these artistic inquiries. During this period, Leger was also given his first solo show at Galerie Kahnweiler (Paris) in 1912. After serving in the military from 1914-1917, Léger began his “Mechanical Period,” in which urban figures are portrayed with machinelike qualities. This style is linked with Léger’s interest in the industrial evolution and its relationship to man, a central theme of his work. During this time, Léger also experimented with other techniques, such as print making and drafting. He involved himself in many mediums, such as designing costumes and sets for Rolf de Marés Ballets Suédois. In 1924, the same year he opened an atelier with Amédée Ozenfant, Léger presented his experimental film “Ballet Mechanique.” The following year, his first murals debuted at Le Courbusier’s Pavillon de l’Esprit Nouveau at the Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs. Léger sustained this interest in murals throughout his life, exploring scale differences between easel and wall paintings. Léger also held various academic positions. After teaching at the Académie Moderne (founded with Ozenfant and open until 1931), he held a position at the Académie de l’art Contemporain from 1933-9 and later at the Atelier Fernand Léger from 1946-1955. While living in the United States, (he left Europe in order to escape the Nazis in 1940) he taught at Yale University. However, after returning to Europe in 1945, Léger focused more on various public art commissions, such as stained-glass window and theatre design. During Léger’s life, many exhibitions were held of his work. Highlights include shows at the Art Institute of Chicago in 1935 and at the Museum of Modern Art (New York) that same year. Twenty years later, he received the grand prize at the Sao Paulo Bienal. Léger passed away on August 17, 1955 in his home in Gif-Sur-Yvette, France. Edited by R.S. «back