The artwork, titled “Naked Model in the Workshop,” was created by the artist Fernand Léger between 1912 – 1913. Falling under the Cubist movement, this piece is categorized as a nude painting (nu).
This complex composition exemplifies the distinctive characteristics of Cubism. It utilizes fragmented forms, a muted color palette interspersed with strategic splashes of red, yellow, and black, and intricate interplays of geometric shapes. The depiction of the nude model is abstract, deconstructing the human figure into intersecting planes and curvilinear forms, thus creating a sense of depth and movement. The painting conveys a dynamic environment, as if the viewer is witnessing the figure from multiple angles simultaneously. The textures and shading demonstrate Léger’s adept manipulation of form and space, adhering to the Cubist ethos of transcending traditional perspective to explore a more holistic representation of reality.
