Still Life with a Beer Mug is a visually striking oil painting from 1921-2 created by the French artist Fernand Léger. The painting depicts a traditional Bavarian-style beer mug on a wooden table surrounded by everyday lunch items, such as bread and cheese. Leger predominantly used black, white, and primary colors of red, yellow, and blue to create the strong visual impact for which it is known.
Leger was an influential figure in the art world who developed his signature personal style of cubism into a more populist and figurative form. Still Life with a Beer Mug exemplifies his belief in making art accessible to all.
The painting’s contrasting patterns and colors are highlighted through use of black and white areas that create depth within the image. Still Life with a Beer Mug is part of the Tate collection in the UK, having been purchased with assistance from Friends of Tate Gallery in 1976.
Overall, Still Life with a Beer Mug showcases Fernand Léger’s unique artistic style while also presenting an accessible theme through its portrayal of everyday objects on display. Its bold color palette combined with juxtaposition between flat shapes makes this artwork stand out as one of Leger’s most iconic pieces.
