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Etude pour 'Les Constructeurs': l'équipe au repos [Study for 'The Constructors': The Team at Rest]
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? ADAGP, Paris and DACS, London 2004

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Etude pour 'Les Constructeurs': l'équipe au repos [Study for 'The Constructors': The Team at Rest] 1950
In 1950 Léger made a series of paintings depicting construction workers. Although he had been interested in depicting modernity for some time, he was particularly inspired by the post-war process of reconstruction in France. He saw a group of electricians working on pylons and was struck by the contrast between the natural surroundings and the metallic girders. After joining the French Communist Party in 1945, Léger concentrated on the human figure, as he wanted to make his work accessible to everyone. Eager that his art should be seen by ordinary workers, he exhibited the series of 'Constructors' paintings in the canteen of the Renault car factory in Paris.

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Modernity

The state of embracing the most up-to-date ideas and techniques. In art, the notion is often associated with the 19th century French poet Charles Baudelaire who encouraged artists to represent the modern world based on their lived experience.

Modernity

Details

  • Acc. No. GMA 2845
  • Medium Oil on canvas
  • Size 162.00 x 129.50 cm (framed: 183.00 x 152.20 x 9.00 cm)
  • Credit Purchased 1984

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