Fernand Léger's New and Unprecedented Realm of Abstraction | Christie's

Jason Carey, International Director of Impressionist and Modern Art, discusses 'Femme dans un fauteuil' (1913), a painting that encapsulates the energy, innovation and dynamism of Paris at the start of the 20th century. In 1913, the French aviator Roland Garros made the first ever, non-stop flight across the Mediterranean; the premiere of The Rite of Spring, Igor Stravinsky’s avant-garde ballet, caused a riot among Parisians; and France was producing more cars than any country on Earth. ‘It’s a work that perfectly encapsulates the energy, innovation and dynamism of Paris at that time,’ confirms Jason Carey, Head of Impressionist and Modern Art at Christie’s in London. ‘This was forward-looking art for a forward-looking era.’