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“We live in a rainbow of chaos”

Paul Cézanne, born on January 19, 1839, in Aix-en-Provence, France, and passing away on October 22, 1906, is recognized as a pivotal figure in the transition from 19th-century Impressionism to the new artistic movements of the 20th century, particularly Cubism. His innovative approach laid the groundwork for modern art, influencing generations of artists, including Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse, who referred to him as “the father of us all”.

Artistic style:

Paul Cézanne developed a unique and innovative style that bridged the gap between Impressionism and modern art movements like Cubism and Fauvism. His approach to painting was characterized by several key features:

Cézanne often broke down subjects into basic geometric shapes like cylinders, spheres, and cones. This emphasis on underlying structure provided a sense of solidity and depth to his compositions.

He used bold, contrasting colors and small, repetitive brushstrokes that built up to form complex fields. Cézanne’s systematic brushwork, with nearly every part of the canvas defined by similar strokes, created a dynamic texture and a sense of three-dimensionality.

Cézanne’s method involved layering small brushstrokes of color to build up forms, a technique that would influence later abstract art movements. He often revisited the same subjects, constantly re-examining his work to achieve a harmonious balance between observation and artistic expression.

Most important works:

1. The Card Players (Les Joueurs de cartes)

Cézanne painted five versions of The Card Players between 1890 and 1895, depicting farmers and laborers engaged in a game of cards. This series is characterized by its strict construction of color and form, moving beyond mere genre scenes to explore deeper compositional principles. The paintings reflect Cézanne’s interest in the interplay of shapes and colors, showcasing his analytical approach to everyday subjects.

2. The Great Bathers (Les Grandes Baigneuses)

Cézanne created three large-format versions of The Great Bathers during his later years, with the most famous being displayed in Philadelphia. This work reflects his admiration for classical painting, merging human figures with natural landscapes in an Arcadian ideal. The composition emphasizes the harmony between figures and nature, showcasing his evolving style that incorporated freely invented forms.

3. Mont Sainte-Victoire

Cézanne painted numerous views of Mont Sainte-Victoire, a mountain near his home in Aix-en-Provence. His works, such as Mont Sainte-Victoire and the Viaduct of the Arc River Valley, demonstrate his mastery of creating depth through organized layers and geometric rhythms. This subject became central to his later work, reflecting his precise observation of nature and the geological structures within it.

4. Still Life with Apples and a Pot of Primroses

This painting, created around 1890, exemplifies Cézanne’s mature style, where he built forms entirely from color without relying on light and shadow. The objects are rendered through subtle gradations of color, showcasing his innovative approach to still life and his departure from traditional perspective.

Exhibitions:

Cézanne and Renoir Exhibition at Palazzo Reale, Milan

In 2024, the year marking the 150th anniversary of the birth of the Impressionist movement, a major exhibition comparing the works of Paul Cézanne and Pierre-Auguste Renoir will be held at Palazzo Reale in Milan. The exhibition, titled “Cézanne and Renoir”, will run from March 19 to June 30, 2024.