The artwork titled “Portrait of a man with the hat, Study for builders” by Fernand Leger is an exemplary piece belonging to the Naïve Art (Primitivism) movement. This portrait is housed in the Musée National Fernand Léger in Biot, France.
Rendered in a simplistic and bold style typical of Naïve Art, the artwork depicts a man wearing a hat, with defined, unembellished lines that outline his face, attire, and the hat. The man’s expression is calm and composed, with minimal shading and detailing, which draws focus to the straightforward yet expressive black contours. The background is void of colour or detail, further emphasizing the man’s form and features, lending the piece a clean and stark aesthetic. The artwork’s lack of intricate detail and its primal form aligns with the defining characteristics of Primitivism, highlighting Léger’s mastery in capturing the essence of his subjects through stripped-down, fundamental visual elements.
