Paul Cézanne
- Born:
- January 19, 1839, Aix-en-Provence, France
- Died:
- October 22, 1906, Aix-en-Provence, France
- Nationality:
- French
- Profession(s):
- Painter
Early Life and Education
- Born into a wealthy banking family in Aix-en-Provence.
- Attended the Collège Bourbon (now Collège Mignet), where he befriended Émile Zola.
- Studied law at the University of Aix-en-Provence, yielding to his father's wishes.
- Briefly studied at the Académie Suisse in Paris.
Career and Major Achievements
- Began painting seriously in the early 1860s, initially influenced by Romanticism and Realism.
- Developed a close friendship with Camille Pissarro, who encouraged him to paint outdoors.
- Participated in the first Impressionist exhibition in 1874 and the third in 1877, but received negative criticism.
- Gradually distanced himself from Impressionism, developing a more structured and analytical approach to painting.
- Sought to create a more enduring and solid art than Impressionism.
- Focused on still lifes, landscapes, and portraits, often depicting scenes from his native Provence.
- His work was increasingly recognized and admired in the years before his death.
Notable Works
- The Basket of Apples (c. 1893)
- Mont Sainte-Victoire (series)
- The Card Players (series)
- Still Life with Plaster Cupid (c. 1895)
- The Bathers (series)
Legacy and Impact
Paul Cézanne is considered a crucial figure in the transition from Impressionism to Cubism and a pivotal influence on 20th-century art. His exploration of form, color, and perspective paved the way for future artistic movements. The evolution and details concerning the Paul Cézanne biography timeline shows his significance. His emphasis on the underlying geometric structures of objects and his use of multiple viewpoints were particularly influential.