I pass the Bozar every morning on my way to work, and couldn’t help but notice the colorful posters for the Fernand Léger, Beauty is Everywhere exhibition. I really love modern art and have seen many of his works in other museum, but never in a retrospective setting.
Bozar (Palais des Beaux-Arts) gives 5 Reasons to Be Excited:
- Major Retrospective: The term ‘once in a lifetime’ is banded about way too often, but this is the first retrospective of the French artist in Belgium since 1956. We’ll let you do the maths.
- Man of the People: No ivory tower for this painter. Léger was a politically engaged artist, with his feet firmly planted on the factory floor (or in the circus). His art was, as befits a member of the Communist Party, truly aimed at everyone.
- Man of His Time: Léger was thrilled by the technological and industrial whirlwind of his era. And he was crazy about Charlie Chaplin and cinema. He painted movie posters, designed sets, and even co-directed a movie.
- Influential Teacher: As a teacher Léger helped shape a whole generation of artists. His grateful students include artists like sculptor Louise Bourgeois and photographer William Klein. And even an aspiring painter called Serge Gainsbourg.
- Beauty is Everywhere: Léger found beauty in the everyday. Even in “the rows of pots hanging against the white wall of your kitchen.” So be prepared to look at your kitchen utensils in a completely new way.

Beauty is Everywhere

Self-portrait, 1904-1905

The Mechanic, 1918

Mechanical element, 1924

The Typographer, 1919

Composition on Green Background, 1929

Still Life, ABC, 1927

Charlot cubiste, 1924

Tribute to Dance, 1925

Looking at the Cyclists

The Cyclists, 1948

Costume Sketches for La Création du monde

The Medrano Circus, 1918

The Large Black Divers, 1944

Compositions with Two Parrots, 1935-1939

The Forest, 1942

Man with Pipe

Women in an Interior

Two Women Standing, 1922

Acrobats in Grey, 1942-1944

A Day in the Country, 1953

Leisure Activities – Tribute to Louis David, 1948-1949

Brewdog for dinner

The Menu

Buffalo Wings

Koen’s burger – Chipolte Chorizo: buttermilk brioche bun, 6oz beef brisket patty, chorizo, padron peppers & chipolte mayo

My burger – Cluck Norris: buttermilk brioche bun, southern fried chicken, avocado, red onion, cajun mayo & coriander. We accidentally ordered two orders of fries each!