Paul Cézanne

Guillaumin au pendu (Guillaumin with Hanged Man)

1906

Paul Cézanne (1839–1906) was a French Post-Impressionist painter who served as a bridge between 19th-century Impressionism and early 20th-century Cubism. His work introduced new modes of representation, influencing avant-garde movements of the early 20th century. Initially inspired by Romanticism and Realism, Cézanne developed a unique pictorial language, altering conventional perspectives and emphasizing the formal qualities of art. Cézanne's distinctive brushstrokes, use of color planes, and focus on the underlying structure of objects set his work apart. Despite early ridicule from contemporary critics, artists like Camille Pissarro and gallery owner Ambroise Vollard recognized his talent, with Vollard hosting Cézanne's first solo exhibition in 1895. This exhibition led to wider appreciation, and both Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso later hailed Cézanne as "the father of us all".