Paul Cézanne
1839–1906 · Post-Impressionism & Neo-Impressionism
Biography
Paul Cézanne (1839–1906), from Aix-en-Provence, sought to build solid, lasting structures out of colour. His approach to form and space made him a key precursor of Cubism and of modern art.
From the artist’s life
Paul Cézanne made this version of Mont Sainte-Victoire at a wonderful place called Bellevue, west of the town of Aix. Although he painted many of his pictures from the same viewpoint, this painting differs from the other pieces of the series known as the Bellevue views. Bellevue was an agricultural property owned by his sister, Rose, and her husband, Maxime Conil. Cézanne happily walked even long distances to paint beautiful Provençal landscapes, but Bellevue lay relatively close, to the south-west of his family home at Jas de Bouffan.
From the page of Mont Sainte-Victoire
Cézanne’s relative obscurity for most of his life was due primarily to his wish to remain reserved. Although he formed a close, lifelong friendship with Camille Pissarro (1830–1903), whom he regarded as his mentor, Cézanne was known to be sensitive and unpredictable; he once refused to shake hands with Édouard Manet (1832–1883) on the grounds that he had not washed his hands. His self-imposed isolation in Provence suited him, though it was only possible because of his fortunate financial situation. Cézanne was the son of a wealthy banker and in the mid-1880s inherited a considerable fortune, which meant that, unlike his contemporaries, he never had to look for buyers for his works.
From the page of The Large Bathers
