Fernand Léger

Fernand Leger, Head and Leaf, from Verve, Revue Artistique, 1939

1939

This exquisite lithograph by Fernand Leger (1881–1955), titled L’Eau (Water), from Verve, Revue Artistique et Litteraire, Vol. I, No. 1, originates from the 1937 issue published by Editions de la revue Verve, Paris, under the direction of Teriade, Editeur, Paris, and printed by Mourlot Freres, Paris, 1937. This vibrant composition embodies Leger’s fascination with the elemental forces of nature reinterpreted through the lens of modernity. L’Eau reflects his ongoing exploration of the harmony between mechanical precision and organic movement, transforming the natural motif of flowing water into an abstract symphony of curves, color, and rhythm. Through its interplay of form and line, the work reveals Leger’s mastery of balance and visual dynamism—an artistic celebration of motion and modern life. Executed as a lithograph on velin du Marais paper, this work measures 14 x 10.5 inches (35.56 x 26.67 cm). Signed in the plate and unnumbered as issued. The edition reflects the superior craftsmanship of the Mourlot Freres atelier, celebrated for its collaborations with the leading modern artists of the 20th century. Artwork Details: Artist: Fernand Leger (1881–1955) Title: L’Eau (Water), from Verve, Revue Artistique et Litteraire, Vol. I, No. 1, 1937 Medium: Lithograph on velin du Marais paper Dimensions: 14 x 10.5 inches (35.56 x 26.67 cm) Inscription: Signed in the plate and unnumbered as issued Date: 1937 Publisher: Editions de la revue Verve, Paris, under the direction of Teriade, Editeur, Paris Printer: Mourlot Freres, Paris Condition: Well preserved, consistent with age and medium Provenance: From Verve, Revue Artistique et Litteraire, Vol. I, No. 1, published by Editions de la revue Verve, Paris, 1937 About the Publication: Verve, Revue Artistique et Litteraire was one of the most influential art periodicals of the 20th century, founded in Paris in 1937 by the visionary Greek-born publisher Teriade (Stratis Eleftheriades). Designed as a meeting point of art, poetry, and philosophy, Verve united the era’s greatest modern artists—including Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso, Marc Chagall, Georges Braque, Joan Miro, and Fernand Leger—with leading intellectuals such as Paul Eluard and Albert Camus. Printed by the master lithographers Mourlot Freres, each issue was a masterpiece of craftsmanship, presenting original lithographs alongside literary works in a richly designed format. The inaugural issue, Vol. I, No. 1, published in 1937, marked a defining moment in the history of modern art publishing—introducing the vision of Verve as a beacon of artistic collaboration and aesthetic excellence that would shape the visual culture of the 20th century. About the Artist: Fernand Leger (1881–1955) was a visionary French painter, sculptor, designer, and filmmaker whose groundbreaking fusion of modern industry, vivid color, and geometric form transformed the course of 20th-century art. Born in Argentan, Normandy, Leger began as an architectural draftsman before studying at the Academie Julian and the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris, where he absorbed the lessons of Paul Cezanne’s structural rigor and the revolutionary ideas of Cubism. Alongside Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque, he became one of the leading innovators of the avant-garde, yet his work stood apart through its embrace of mechanical rhythm, bold contrasts, and industrial modernity—earning him the title “the painter of the machine age.” His art celebrated the beauty of technology, urban life, and the human form rendered in dynamic, interlocking cylinders and planes, evoking the pulse of the modern world. Immersed in the vibrant Parisian art scene, Leger worked in dialogue with peers and contemporaries such as Alexander Calder, Alberto Giacometti, Salvador Dali, Joan Miro, Wassily Kandinsky, Marcel Duchamp, and Man Ray, all of whom shared his commitment to innovation and the reimagining of artistic expression. Beyond painting, Leger’s creative reach extended into film, design, and monumental public art—his 1924 collaboration on Ballet Mecanique with Dudley Murphy and Man Ray remains a landmark of avant-garde cinema. His later works evolved toward greater clarity and monumentality, celebrating the unity of form, color, and humanity through large-scale murals and mosaics that bridged fine art and architecture. Leger’s synthesis of Cubism, Futurism, and abstraction paved the way for movements such as Pop Art and influenced generations of artists including Roy Lichtenstein, Ellsworth Kelly, Robert Indiana, and Alexander Calder, who admired his fusion of structure, energy, and optimism. Today, his works are prized by major museums and collectors worldwide for their bold visual power and enduring modernity. His highest auction record was achieved by La femme en rouge et vert (1914), which sold for $39,241,000 at Sotheby’s, New York, on May 7, 2008. Fernand Leger L’Eau, Leger Verve, Leger Mourlot...

Lithograph on papier vélin teinté, fait a la main paper. Inscription: Unsigned and unnumbered, as issued. Good condition. Notes: From the folio, Les Illuminations, 1949. Published by...

Lithograph on papier vélin teinté, fait a la main paper. Inscription: Unsigned and unnumbered, as issued. Good condition. Notes: From the folio, Les Illuminations, 1949. Published by...

Lithograph on papier vélin teinté, fait a la main paper. Inscription: Unsigned and unnumbered, as issued. Good condition. Notes: From the folio, Les Illuminations, 1949. Published by...

Etching and drypoint realied by Léger in 1952. Artist proof our of and edition of 100. Hand signed in pencil lower right.

Profil de Femme Fernand Leger, French (1881–1955) Date: circa 1931 (pulled 1961) Drypoint Etching on Richard de Bas Edition of 102 Image Size: 10 x 8 inches Size: 15.75 x 12 in. (40....

Lithograph realized by Léger in 1952, from the Suite "Souce Entière". Very rare, belonging to an edition of 28. Ref. Saphire 123

Tete De Femme Fernand Leger, French (1881–1955)\ Date: 1952 Drypoint Etching, stamp signed and numbered in pencil Edition of 100 Image Size: 7.75 x 4.75 inches Size: 12.5 x 9.25 in. ...