The artwork, entitled “The Great Julie,” was created by the artist Fernand Léger in the year 1945. This piece is associated with the Purism art movement and falls under the genre of portraiture.
In this artwork, the viewer is presented with a stylized figure of a woman set against a vibrant background split into contrasting sections of warm yellow and deep red. Notably, the woman’s skin is depicted in a monochromatic palette, offering sharp contrast with her orange attire. She holds a yellow flower in one hand, drawing immediate attention to the organic element amidst the mechanical forms that dominate the piece. Additionally, two butterflies—one blue and one patterned in black and white—flit around the floral motif, creating a juxtaposition of nature and abstraction. The background features an intricate composition of interlocking geometric shapes and loops, emphasizing the Purist tendency towards clean lines and pure forms. The overall composition reflects Léger’s distinct style, merging human and machine-like elements in a harmonious and balanced manner.
