ABOUT Le Corbusier

Le Corbusier (1887–1965) was both an architect and a painter. Before beginning his career in architecture, he was actively engaged in painting. Alongside artist Amédée Ozenfant, he advocated for Purism, a movement that emphasized clarity and simplicity in contrast to the complexity and ornamentation of Cubism. Together, they launched the magazine L Esprit Nouveau (“The New Spirit”) to promote the ideals of modernism.
Purism valued “pure forms” and “ordered composition,” seeking simplicity and precision while still influenced by Cubism. Le Corbusier famously stated that “a house is a machine for living in,” emphasizing the principle that "form should follow function." His designs, stripped of unnecessary elements and optimized for purpose, became a hallmark of modernist architecture.
In painting, “functionality” refers to respecting the intrinsic purpose or use of the depicted object, and creating rational, visually organized compositions. While Cubist artists often deconstructed objects like cups or bottles into fragmented and complex forms, Purist painters depicted them as recognizable shapes within an orderly layout.
Even after achieving worldwide fame as an architect, Le Corbusier continued to paint throughout his life. For him, painting was a vital source of creative energy and a way to clarify his philosophical ideas.