“La femme au guéridon et au fer à cheval” is an artwork created by the artist Le Corbusier in 1928. As a forerunner in the realm of Cubism, this figurative piece reflects the movement’s inclination towards abstracted forms and geometrical complexity. The artwork encapsulates the inventive spirit of the era, showcasing Le Corbusier’s embrace of a style that challenged traditional perspectives in art.
The artwork portrays a largely abstract composition that integrates fragmented, overlapping, and reassembled forms to represent the figure and objects. The central figure appears to be a woman, suggested by the presence of feminine curves and the context provided by the title. Surrounding her are objects that seem to be a table (guéridon) and a horseshoe (fer à cheval), alluding to the components mentioned in the artwork’s name.
Colours in the artwork are used sparingly yet with intention, creating a composition that feels balanced despite its inherent abstract nature. Shades of blue, red, and grey dominate the scene, with the background painted in a muted tone to allow the forms in the foreground to stand out. The hues are characteristic of the Cubist palette, often rooted in earthy and muted tones that focus attention more on form than on color.
Geometric shapes play a significant role in the composition, characteristic of Cubist artworks. These shapes give the impression of a three-dimensional space, yet they are rendered in a way that flattens perspective and encourages the viewer to interact with the painting not as a window into a scene but as an arrangement of shapes on a two-dimensional surface.
Overall, the artwork is a compelling testament to Le Corbusier’s engagement with Cubism, an art movement that revolutionized the visual arts in the early 20th century by presenting a radical new approach to representing form and space.
