Fernand Léger (1881-1955)
The Village, 1914
The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York
Léger’s ‘The Village’ donated to Metropolitan Museum After promising his collection of 78 Cubist works of art, Leonard A. Lauder has added another masterpiece, Léger’s ‘The Village’, to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.]]>
September 20, 2013, source: Metropolitan Museum of Art
“The Village” was painted in 1914 by Léger (1881-1955) and depicts a church and neighboring buildings encircled by trees and possibly a town wall. (A second, identically sized version of the composition is in the collection of the Sprengel Museum, Hannover.) Unlike the city scenes for which Léger is better known, these two paintings are part of a rare series focusing on a country scene. The central part of the composition is painted in the colors of the French flag—blue, white, and red—a patriotic touch given that the work was created shortly before Léger was mobilized to fight in the First World War. The Village measures 31-1/2 x 39-3/8 inches (80 x 100 cm). It has been in private hands for nearly a century and is not known to have been exhibited publicly during that time.
Thomas P. Campbell, Director and CEO of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, said, in making the announcement, “Leonard Lauder is dedicated to creating the greatest collection of Cubist art in the world and to ensuring that these works will be accessible to the millions of people who visit the Met. Léger’s ‘Village’ certainly demonstrates that unparalleled commitment. It is a rare and beautiful painting, in pristine condition. Most importantly, it represents a pivotal moment in the evolution of Cubism: using pyramids, cylinders, and spheres as building blocks, Léger creates a Cubist style that’s all his own.”
Mr. Campbell announced on April 9, 2013, that Mr. Lauder has pledged to give the Metropolitan Museum his collection of 78 works by Picasso, Braque, Gris, and Léger, which stands as one of the foremost collections of Cubism in the world. The collection, distinguished by its quality, focus, and depth, includes 33 works by Picasso, 17 by Braque, 14 by Gris, and now 15 by Léger. Already unsurpassed in the number of masterpieces and iconic works critical to the development of Cubism, Mr. Lauder will continue to add to the collection.
Related content
Leonard Lauder’s $1 billion collection of cubist art donated to the Metropolitan Museum (news, April 2013)
Follow us on:
