1954, Fernand Leger, The Picnic -- Ludwig Museum (Cologne)
From the museum label: Fernand Léger was aware that laborers had limited leisure time and that they did not necessarily want to spend it in exhibitions: "One can't expect them to bury themselves in the museum on Sundays and holidays, of course not! When the weather's good they spend time outdoors in nature, to catch their breath, and that's entirely justified." In the trenches during World War I Leger became acquainted with the people that he wanted to paint in the future: "Miners, channel diggers, wood cutters, and metalworkers." His painting depicts such individuals during an excursion to the countryside. The stiffly jointed limbs of the massive figures, which are reminiscent of mannequins, signify their anonymity in mass society.
1954, Fernand Leger, The Picnic -- Ludwig Museum (Cologne)
From the museum label: Fernand Léger was aware that laborers had limited leisure time and that they did not necessarily want to spend it in exhibitions: "One can't expect them to bury themselves in the museum on Sundays and holidays, of course not! When the weather's good they spend time outdoors in nature, to catch their breath, and that's entirely justified." In the trenches during World War I Leger became acquainted with the people that he wanted to paint in the future: "Miners, channel diggers, wood cutters, and metalworkers." His painting depicts such individuals during an excursion to the countryside. The stiffly jointed limbs of the massive figures, which are reminiscent of mannequins, signify their anonymity in mass society.