Tęte. Head by Fernand Leger, 1881-1955

Fernand Leger, 1881-1955
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Tęte. Head

Original lithograph in four colours. 1947. Numbered from the edition of 500. Unsigned as always. (No signed impressions exist). Drawn and printed at the studio of Mourlot, Paris 1947. Issued for the small album: L'Illustre Thomas Wilson. Published by Bordas, 1947.
Ref: Saphire - Leger Graphic Work no 16.

Excellent very fresh impression with perfect colours. On pale cream slightly textured BFK Rives wove (velin satiné) paper. Excellent condition. Printed to the full sheet size, as issued. Sheet: 7 1/8 x 4 5/8ins (181x118mm)

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In the period just after the War Leger?s style moved away from the ?constructional? quality which he had used in the 1930?s towards a more 'freeform' figurative treatment. Elements in his figures are described by areas of bold flat colour, the whole shape articulated by strong strokes in black. The contrasts of the flat colours create a strong quality of varying visual plane which links back to the ?constructed? forms which Leger had used before the War, but at the same time there is sense of lyricism, of the sheer joy of expression, which affected so many of the great French painters in the years immediately following the War.

This very striking small lithograph was drawn by Leger in 1947 at the request of his friend the publisher Bordas. It is very typical of his style at this date. Although issued in quite a large edition (there is no pencil signed edition) it seldom appears on the market.