The Revolutionary Oil Painter Who Transformed Art

Paul Cézanne (1839-1906) was a famous French painter, a representative of the post-Impressionist school, and an important painter between Impressionism and Cubism. He has been praised as the “Father of New Art” since the end of the 19th century. As a pioneer of modern art, Western modern painters call him the “Father of Modern Art” or “The Father of Modern Painting”. His pursuit and expression of the sense of volume of objects opened up many ideas for “Cubism”. His unique subjective color is greatly different from most painters who emphasize objective color sense.

Paul Cézanne, a French painter, was born in Aix-en-Provence in 1839. He hailed from a wealthy family, which initially led him to study law as per his father’s wishes. However, his passion for painting was irresistible.

Cézanne’s learning journey in art was a complex one. He studied at the Académie Suisse in Paris, where he was exposed to a diverse range of artistic styles and ideas. He was also associated with the Impressionist movement, although he developed a unique style that deviated from the pure Impressionist approach.

In terms of his painting technique, Cézanne is renowned for his use of geometric forms to simplify and structure his compositions. He would break down objects into basic shapes such as cylinders, spheres, and cones. His brushstrokes were deliberate and often built up in layers, creating a sense of texture and depth. He paid meticulous attention to the relationship between colors, using color planes to suggest volume and space. For example, in his still life paintings, he would use warm and cool colors in juxtaposition to give the objects a more solid and three-dimensional appearance.

Cézanne’s achievements are truly remarkable. His works were a precursor to the development of Cubism. His exploration of form and space inspired generations of artists, including Picasso and Braque. His landscapes, portraits, and still lifes are not only aesthetically pleasing but also a profound study of the essence of objects and the perception of the visual world. His art was a bridge between the Impressionist focus on light and color and the more abstract and structural concerns of modern art. Cézanne’s influence extended far beyond his lifetime, and his paintings continue to be studied and revered in art institutions around the world, making him one of the most important and influential figures in the history of oil painting.