Le Fumeur

"Le Fumeur" also known as "Man with Pipe" is a captivating Cubist painting by the French artist Jean Metzinger. The subject of the painting is believed to be either Guillaume Apollinaire or Max Jacob, two prominent literary figures of the period. This compelling piece was showcased in 1914 at the Salon des Indépendants in Paris and later in Berlin at the Galerie Der Sturm. Today, it resides in the permanent collection of the Carnegie Museum of Art in Pittsburgh.

The artwork depicts a man seated in a café, smoking a pipe and wearing a derby hat. Metzinger's Cubist style is evident through its geometric composition, multiple perspectives, and angular forms. A distinguishing feature of this piece, compared to his earlier works, is the use of bright colors and decorative patterns.

There has been some debate about the identity of the sitter, with Apollinaire himself claiming that the portrait is of him. This speculation is supported by Metzinger's previous Cubist portrait of Apollinaire. The painting employs the concept of 'mobile perspective,' presenting the subject from various angles simultaneously.

Metzinger's distinctive approach to Cubism, characterized by clear shapes and structural shifts, makes "Man with Pipe" a remarkable piece. The café setting and still-life elements add depth to the composition. The painting beautifully captures the essence of Cubist portraiture, preserving the sitter's likeness through fragmented forms and unique perspectives.