When we think of Le Corbusier, we tend to think of his disastrous influence on the last century's housing projects which are blots on the landscape all around the world.
The Le Corbusier retrospective currently at the Pompidou, Mesures De L'Homme, emphasizes other aspects of his work which have bourne and may yet bear fruit.
We were pleasantly surprised by Le Corbusier's early geometrical still lives - all around 1920. Above, Le Cirque, femme et cheval, 1929.
Deux Femmes assises, 1929.
Painted mural for the home of Jean Badovici at Vezeley, 1935/36.
A mural painting from the workshop at rue de Sevres, 1943 when Le Corbusier was emphasizing the senses (hearing, sight and touch) in his work.
John was fascinated by the book and cover design in Le Corbusier's publications. He was until this year employed as a librarian after all!
Le Modulor, 1950
Myself, as an illustrator, enjoyed the illustrations in those books.
and his emblems for his theory of the Modular, "a system of measurement on the scale of the average man".
Interior and furniture design was another area of interest to the famous thinker.
We loved the designs he made for furniture in collaboration with Charlotte Perriand and Pierre Jeanneret. Iconic pieces from the late 1920's.
Architectural maquettes of the period are always interesting too.
The displays of designs for the city of Chandigarh, India which was built from scratch in the early 50's according to his vision, show both the futuristic style and the flaws that are part of Le Corbusier's legacy.
Eileen Gray, was much in his shadow, and much of her work is falsely attributed to Le Corbusier, thanks to the foundation that looks after his reputation.
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