Paper

Student Artwork Guide

Cube

Name Class Date

jacques mahé de la villeglé, Cube (2012), ISCAP - Porto Accounting and Business School. Reproduced for reference; rights reserved by the rights holder.

The facts

Artist
jacques mahé de la villeglé wahooart.com/en/artists/jacques-mahe-de-la-villegle/
Artist’s dates
1926 – 2022
Painted
2012
Medium
Sculpture
Movement
Nouveau Réalisme
Period
Contemporary
Held at
ISCAP - Porto Accounting and Business School wahooart.com/en/museums/iscap-porto-accounting-and-business-school-sao-mamede-de-infesta/
Artistic style
Realistic/Abstract
Notable elements or techniques
Abstract geometric shapes
Subject or theme
Geometric forms in a natural setting

In context

Cube — jacques mahé de la villeglé

When was this painted?

  1. 1920
  2. 1930
  3. 1940
  4. 1950
  5. 1960
  6. 1970
  7. 1980
  8. 1990
  9. 2000
  10. 2010
  11. 2020

Shaded: the lifetime of jacques mahé de la villeglé (1926–2022) ▲ this work, 2012

Compare with

  • Cube, 2012 wahooart.com/en/art/jacques-mahe-de-la-villegle-cube-D7TBJZ-en/

Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.

More works to set beside this one: wahooart.com/en/art/similar/jacques-mahe-de-la-villegle-cube-DD3JVB-en/

Colours

Measured from the image

    Main colour

    Phthalo Green #31451d

    Catalogued palette

    • #31451D
    • #ABB44E
    • #D8DAAD
    • #637336
    Palette
    Dark The dominant colour family in the image.
    Main colour name
    Phthalo Green
    Intensity
    Vivid How saturated and varied the colours are, from a single toned-down hue to many bright ones.
    Contrast
    Statement How much the colours differ in lightness and saturation across the picture.
    Harmony
    Unified Palette How well the colours work together, from clashing to fully unified.
    Brightness
    Balanced How light or dark the picture reads overall, from deep shadow to bright highlight.
    Saturation
    Clear Color Presence How pure and strong the colours are, from near-grey to fully vivid.

    About this artwork

    Cube — jacques mahé de la villeglé

    The Geometry of Silence: Encountering Jacques Mahé de la Villeglé’s Cube

    In the quiet intersection of sculpture and landscape, Cube emerges as a profound meditation on form and presence. Created in 2012, this work invites the viewer into a serene dialogue between man-made structure and the organic rhythms of nature. The piece presents a striking juxtaposition: heavy, concrete-like geometric volumes set against the soft, dappified light of a lush green meadow. There is an undeniable stillness in the composition, where the weight of the artwork anchors the ephemeral beauty of the surrounding trees and grass. For the discerning collector or interior designer, this work offers more than just a visual focal point; it provides a sense of grounded tranquility, acting as a sculptural anchor that brings the peacefulness of an outdoor exhibition into the heart of a sophisticated living space.

    The aesthetic language of Cube is rooted in the avant-garde traditions of its creator, Jacques Mahé de la Villeglé. As a pioneer of Nouveau Réalisme and the master of décollage, Villeglé spent his career finding beauty in the fragments of civilization. In this particular work, we see a transition from the ripped textures of urban posters to a more stabilized, architectural abstraction. The technique utilizes the raw, tactile quality of industrial materials to create shapes that feel both ancient and modern. The interplay of light and shadow across the geometric surfaces creates a dynamic experience; as the sun moves, the artwork itself seems to transform, mirroring the way a high-quality reproduction can breathe life and movement into a curated room.

    Beyond its physical presence, the symbolism within Cube touches upon the eternal tension between permanence and change. The rigid, unyielding nature of the geometric forms stands in stark contrast to the fleeting, seasonal shifts of the natural world visible in the background. This creates a poignant emotional impact—a feeling of finding stability amidst the flux of life. For those looking to decorate with art that inspires deep thought, this piece serves as a window into the concept of "found" beauty. It is an invitation to pause, to observe the shadows, and to appreciate the quiet strength found in structural simplicity. Whether displayed as a centerpiece in a minimalist gallery or as a textured accent in a contemporary study, Cube remains a timeless testament to the power of abstract form.

    Artist and museum

    Artist

    jacques mahé de la villeglé

    Born in Quimper, France

    early life and career

    jacques mahé de la villeglé, a french mixed-media artist, was born on march 27, 1926. his artistic journey began in 1947, in saint-malo, where he collected found objects like steel wires and bricks from the atlantic retaining wall. this marked the inception of his unique approach to art.

    decollage and ultra-lettrism

    in december 1949, jacques mahé de la villeglé shifted focus to ripped advertising posters, collaborating with fellow artist raymond hains. this led to the development of ultra-lettrist psychogeographical hypergraphics in the 1950s. a notable example is the phonetic poem hepérile éclaté, published in june 1953, featuring unreadable text through grooved glass.

    nouveau réalisme and marginal remains

    as a member of the nouveau réalisme art group (1960–1970), jacques mahé de la villeglé concentrated on the anonymous and marginal remains of civilization. this approach earned him recognition as one of the most outstanding exponents of liquid art, alongside herman braun-vega and manolo valdés.

    legacy and notable works

    jacques mahé de la villeglé's work is characterized by its focus on the anonymous and marginal aspects of society.

    his unique approach to mixed-media art has influenced subsequent generations of artists.

    notable works include his alphabet with symbolic letters and decollage with ripped or lacerated posters.

    further exploration on AllPaintingsStore.com

    for more information on jacques mahé de la villeglé's work, visit:

    artist profile: jacques mahé de la villeglé

    discovering the musée des beaux-arts de carcassonne (france)

    recommended reading:

    jacques mahé de la villeglé's biography on wikipedia: jacques villeglé

    conclusion

    jacques mahé de la villeglé, a french mixed-media artist, left an indelible mark on the art world with his unique approach to marginal remains and liquid art. his legacy continues to inspire artists and art enthusiasts alike, as seen in his notable works and contributions to the nouveau réalisme art group.

    Museum

    ISCAP - Porto Accounting and Business School

    On show in São Mamede de Infesta, Portugal

    A Symphony of Commerce and Creativity

    In the vibrant heart of São Mamede de Infesta, where the industrious spirit of Matosinhos meets the salt-kissed air of the Atlantic, lies a destination that defies conventional categorization. The

    ISCAP - Porto Accounting and Business School

    is far more than a bastion of academic rigor; it is a living, breathing gallery where the precision of commerce dances with the passion of Portuguese artistry. To step onto this campus is to enter a space where the analytical mind meets the aesthetic soul, a place where the legacy of a nineteenth-century institution has blossomed into a modern sanctuary for cultural discovery. For the discerning art lover or the interior designer seeking inspiration, ISCAP offers a rare glimpse into a world where fine art is not sequestered in silent halls but integrated into the very pulse of daily intellectual life.

    The history of this institution is a tapestry woven with threads of tradition and transformation. Founded in 1890 as the Porto Commercial Institute, its roots run deep into the foundational era of Portuguese trade and industry. As it evolved through the decades to become a cornerstone of the prestigious Polytechnic Institute of Porto (P.PORTO), the school underwent a metamorphosis that extended far beyond its curriculum. The campus itself has become a curated journey through time, where the echoes of the past—represented by classical Portuguese masterpieces—resonate alongside the bold, provocative voices of contemporary installations. This seamless blend allows visitors to witness the evolution of national identity, observing how societal shifts are mirrored in the changing strokes of a brush or the experimental textures of modern sculpture.

    Architecture at ISCAP serves as the silent narrator of this cultural epic. The campus design is an intentional masterclass in fostering creativity through structure. Sleek, modern lines and expansive, open spaces create a sense of boundless possibility, while state-of-the-art facilities are bathed in natural light that illuminates both the student's desk and the artist's canvas. This architectural dialogue ensures that art is never a mere after-thought; rather, it is an essential element of the environment. For collectors and decorators, the way these works interact with the clean, contemporary geometry of the buildings provides profound lessons in how to integrate fine art into modern interiors, creating spaces that feel both intellectually stimulating and aesthetically harmonious.

    What truly distinguishes ISCAP from a traditional museum is its unique interdisciplinary heartbeat. It is a place where the future leaders of business and finance are encouraged to draw sustenance from the boundless imagination of emerging talents. By hosting innovative exhibitions that push the boundaries of conventional expression, the school ensures its collection remains a dynamic, breathing entity. This convergence of disciplines creates a unique atmosphere—a "land of horizon and sea"—where the practicalities of entrepreneurship meet the ethereal beauty of fine art. Whether you are wandering through the halls to find a new perspective on Portuguese heritage or seeking the next great contemporary movement, ISCAP stands as a testament to the idea that true innovation is born when commerce and culture exist in perfect, uninterrupted harmony.

    Where to read more

    Find this online

    QR code linking to the download page for Cube

    wahooart.com/en/art/download/jacques-mahe-de-la-villegle-cube-DD3JVB-en/

    Cite this artwork

    MLA
    villeglé, jacques mahé de la. Cube. 2012, ISCAP - Porto Accounting and Business School. https://wahooart.com/en/art/jacques-mahe-de-la-villegle-cube-DD3JVB-en/
    APA
    villeglé, jacques mahé de la (2012). Cube [Painting]. ISCAP - Porto Accounting and Business School. https://wahooart.com/en/art/jacques-mahe-de-la-villegle-cube-DD3JVB-en/
    Chicago
    jacques mahé de la villeglé. Cube. 2012. ISCAP - Porto Accounting and Business School. https://wahooart.com/en/art/jacques-mahe-de-la-villegle-cube-DD3JVB-en/
    Harvard
    villeglé, jacques mahé de la (2012) Cube. ISCAP - Porto Accounting and Business School. Available at: https://wahooart.com/en/art/jacques-mahe-de-la-villegle-cube-DD3JVB-en/

    Look closely

    Cube — jacques mahé de la villeglé

    Look closely

    Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.

    1. What catches your eye first, and why?
    2. Which colours or shapes create the mood — and what is that mood?
    3. Our catalogue files this work under: abstract, geometric, concrete. Do you agree? What would you add, or take away?
    4. Look back at Cube (2012), earlier in this guide. Name two things it shares with this work, and one that is different.
    5. jacques mahé de la villeglé was about 86 when this was made. What in it looks like the work of an artist at that stage?

    Your response

    Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.