Paul Cézanne

Cézanne's revolutionary style paved the way for modern art, particularly Cubism. He broke from impressionism by seeking to capture the underlying structure and solidity of objects rather than fleeting impressions.

Key Characteristics:

• Geometric forms: He famously said to "treat nature by the cylinder, the sphere, the cone." Think apples as spheres, mountains as cones.
• Multiple perspectives: He presented objects from slightly different viewpoints within the same painting, giving a more complete representation.
• Constructive brushstrokes: Instead of blending, he applied small, deliberate brushstrokes that built up the form and created a sense of depth.
• Subdued color palette: While using color expressively, his palette was generally more restrained than the Impressionists, focusing on relationships between tones.
• Still lifes and landscapes: He frequently painted these subjects, focusing on familiar objects and scenes he could meticulously study.

Themes:

• Order and Structure in Nature: He sought to understand and reveal the underlying order and geometry of the natural world.
• Objectivity and Perception: He explored the subjective nature of perception and how we translate three-dimensional objects onto a two-dimensional canvas.
• The Enduring Quality of Art: His works strived for a timeless quality.

Tying His Name to His Style:

Remember Cézanne's Construction! He constructed his paintings using geometric shapes and deliberate brushstrokes to capture the underlying structure of the world.