“The Staircase,” created by Fernand Léger in 1914, is a notable work within the Tubism art movement. The artwork represents the genre of cityscape, embodying the unique characteristics of Tubism through its use of tubular shapes and vibrant color contrasts.
The artwork features a dynamic assembly of cylindrical forms that converge and ascend a staircase. Predominantly adorned in hues of blue, white, and red, these tubular entities evoke a sense of structured chaos and geometric precision. The background displays ascending steps, rendered in vibrant yellows and whites, intersected by diagonal lines, contributing to the artwork’s depth and perspective. These geometric structures symbolize the bustling and mechanistic nature of cityscapes during the early 20th century. “The Staircase” exemplifies Léger’s distinctive style and his exploration of form and structure through the lens of industrial modernity.