“The Cancan” is a sketch and study artwork by Fernand Léger, part of the “Album X la ville” series, and is associated with the Naïve Art (Primitivism) movement. This artwork is presently housed in the Musée National Fernand Léger in Biot, France.
The artwork portrays a lively scene featuring three dancers performing the traditional French cancan dance. The dancers, captured in mid-motion with their legs exquisitely raised, are adorned in vibrant, frilled costumes with a dynamic interplay of reds, yellows, and blues against a plain background. The use of loose, expressive lines and bold colors is indicative of Léger’s style, emphasizing movement and the joyous atmosphere of the performance.
