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Lot Essay
This gouache is a study associated with the illustrated book Cirque, Léger's master graphic work, which Tériade published in 1950 and whose contents represented a large part of Léger's print output. The manuscript lithographic text by the artist as well as the illustrations combine and interwine the shapes and colours of the world of circus in a glorious celebration of freedom.
The present sitter, with her accessories - the wheel of a bicycle, a hair bow and pearl necklace - can be identified as La Grande Julie, a cyclist or possibly a performer at a circus, whom Léger painted in 1945 (Bauquier, nos. 1187 & 1188) and who appears also in the Cirque lithographs. Julie evoques Léger's social conscience and political commitment. She refers in particular to the pleasure of cycling through France during the newly acquired congés payés (paid holidays), which were granted in France by law in 1936 and were a great victory for the workers.
The present sitter, with her accessories - the wheel of a bicycle, a hair bow and pearl necklace - can be identified as La Grande Julie, a cyclist or possibly a performer at a circus, whom Léger painted in 1945 (Bauquier, nos. 1187 & 1188) and who appears also in the Cirque lithographs. Julie evoques Léger's social conscience and political commitment. She refers in particular to the pleasure of cycling through France during the newly acquired congés payés (paid holidays), which were granted in France by law in 1936 and were a great victory for the workers.