Icons of the Art World: Le Corbusier

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La pêcheuse d'huitres, 1935

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Le Corbusier, born Charles-Édouard Jeanneret-Gris in 1887, was a pioneering Swiss-French architect, urban planner, and designer. A key figure in 20th-century modern architecture, his ideas and designs reshaped the built environment worldwide. Le Corbusier’s architectural philosophy emphasized functionality and simplicity, famously advocating for buildings to be “machines for living.” His Five Points of Architecture, which included features like pilotis (support columns) and open floor plans, are foundational to modernist design.

• Deux bouteilles et le coquetier, 1927-1939

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L'horreur surgit, 1940

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Among his most iconic works is the Villa Savoye (1929), a white, minimalist villa in France, embodying his vision of a functional and beautiful living space. His Unité d’Habitation (1952) in Marseille revolutionized communal housing with its large-scale, modular design. Le Corbusier also ventured into urban planning, proposing the Radiant City (Ville Radieuse), a futuristic vision of high-rise buildings surrounded by green spaces, aiming to improve urban living.

Though celebrated for his contributions, Le Corbusier’s rigid, machine-like approach to urbanism faced criticism for lacking human warmth. Nonetheless, his legacy endures. Many of his architectural principles remain foundational, and in 2016, several of his works were recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, solidifying his influence on modern architecture.

Philips Pavilion, 1958 International Exhibition, Brussels

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Philips Pavilion, 1958 International Exhibition, Brussels

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Le Corbusier also designed furniture that reflected his architectural philosophy. His collaboration with Charlotte Perriand and Pierre Jeanneret led to the creation of iconic pieces such as the LC4 Chaise Longue and the LC2 Grand Confort Armchair, which are still widely produced today.

Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand

Grand confort armchair, small model, Cassina edition

Photo: Cassina

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Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand

Chaise longue, Cassina edition

Photo: Cassina

© FLC/ADAGP

In addition to his architectural innovations and furniture design, Le Corbusier was also an accomplished painter, deeply influenced by Purism, a movement he co-founded with artist Amédée Ozenfant in the early 1920s. His paintings embraced clean lines, simplified forms, and a rejection of ornamentation, much like his architectural designs. He often depicted still lifes, geometric shapes, and objects in a highly structured and abstract manner, reflecting his belief in harmony and order. His series of “Objects Type” paintings explored everyday items, stripped down to their essential forms, aligning with his vision of functionalism. Le Corbusier’s art served as a visual exploration of the same principles that defined his architectural work, emphasizing clarity, balance, and modernity.