The artwork titled “The tug in the city” by Fernand Leger is an exemplar of the Cubist movement, falling under the genre of sketch and study. This piece forms part of “Album X la ville” series and is housed at the Musee National Fernand Leger in Biot, France.
The artwork exhibits a vibrant interplay of geometric shapes and a collage-like juxtaposition of forms, characteristic of Cubism. It portrays a complex, abstract urban landscape that evokes the frenetic energy and mechanical aspects of city life. The composition is a kaleidoscope of fragmented elements that suggest buildings, machinery, and possibly the eponymous tug, although Leger’s abstraction makes it hard to identify specific objects with certainty. Sharp lines intersect and overlap in a bold display, creating an illusion of depth and movement, while the restrained color palette accentuates the structural qualities of the forms. The artist’s name and a date are inscribed on the piece, hinting at its creation within the context of a particular moment in Leger’s career. Overall, this artwork is a manifestation of the artist’s exploration of the rhythmic patterns and structural harmony found within the complexity of urban environments.
