Paul Cézanne

Paul-Cezanne

Paul Cézanne (19 January 1839 – 22 October 1906) was a French artist and Post-Impressionist painter whose work laid the foundations of the transition from the 19th-century conception of artistic endeavor to a new and radically different world of art in the 20th century. Cézanne's often repetitive, exploratory brushstrokes are highly characteristic and clearly recognizable. He used planes of color and small brushstrokes that build up to form complex fields. The paintings convey Cézanne's intense study of his subjects.

Cézanne is said to have formed the bridge between late 19th-century Impressionism and the early 20th century's new line of artistic inquiry, Cubism. Both Matisse and Picasso are said to have remarked that Cézanne "is the father of us all."

Early Life and Education

Paul Cézanne was born in Aix-en-Provence, in the south of France, to a wealthy family. His father was a successful banker, which afforded Cézanne the financial security to pursue his art without economic hardship. He began his studies at the Collège Bourbon, where he became friends with Émile Zola, who would later become a noted writer and a supportive friend. Despite his father's wishes, Cézanne pursued his interest in painting and eventually moved to Paris to further his art education.

Artistic Career

In Paris, Cézanne studied at the Académie Suisse and often visited the Louvre to study the Old Masters. His early works were dark and contained many religious and mythological themes. Over time, his style began to lighten, and he became more interested in capturing the light and scenery of the south of France. He returned to Aix-en-Provence, where he worked in isolation, developing his unique vision.

Cézanne's work was not well received during his lifetime, and he was often ridiculed by critics. However, he continued to push the boundaries of his art, focusing on the underlying structure of objects and landscapes. He believed that all forms in nature could be reduced to the cylinder, the sphere, and the cone.

Legacy

Today, Cézanne is recognized as one of the most influential artists of the 19th century. His work is credited with laying the groundwork for the advent of Cubism and modern abstract art. Museums around the world, including the Musée d'Orsay in Paris and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, house extensive collections of his works.

Selected Works

• The Bathers (Les Grandes Baigneuses)
• Mont Sainte-Victoire
• The Card Players
• Still Life with a Curtain

Death

Paul Cézanne died of pneumonia on 22 October 1906 in Aix-en-Provence. Despite his lack of recognition during his lifetime, his death was mourned by the art community, and he was buried in his hometown.

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