A glistening well rests amidst a landscape of cactus-like shrubbery. In this work, Léger once more combines elements of nature with manmade machinery. The well consists of a silver bucket chained to a wheel that, when spun, can be used as leverage for raising and lowering the bucket to retrieve water. The stark white/silver color of this manmade contraption pops out amidst the chartreuse green and burnt sienna background. Léger here appears to comment on man's cleverness and his ability to manipulate nature for his own well-being. This well does not seem terribly intrusive or destructive amidst the natural landscape but rather fits in harmoniously, resting across a tree with the inhabitant's house nestled off into the distance.
Created in 1951, this work was printed by Mourlot, Paris and published by Galerie Louise Leiris, Paris. This work is hand signed by Fernand Léger (Argentan, 1881- Gif-sur-Yvette, 1955) in ink in the lower right margin and numbered from the edition of 75 in pencil in the lower left margin.
