Cezanne is often called the first modern painter. But how did he arrive at his way of seeing the world, and what was he aiming to express in his art? Critics, art historians and biographers have all devised theories that attempt to explain the style and content of Cezanne's paintings. Yet Cezanne himself was wary of others misinterpreting his work according to their own agendas. So is there a right way of seeing Cezanne? This text sets out to answer this question. The author explores Cezanne's paintings and analyzes the artist's own comments about art. The landscape of his native Provence, the work of Old Masters, modern art and literature - all influenced Cezanne during his search for a style. However, it was Impressionism that caused him to rethink his ideas about what he was trying to express: the "sensation" in nature. This publication looks at Cezanne's own theories about colour and perception, explains how he built up the painting, and how he was able to express touch in a visual form. It also discusses Cezanne's lasting influence on 20th-century art. With insights into Cezanne's approaches to painting and his techniques, this work should be useful reading for those wishing to understand more about the work of this artist.
With 53 colour and 7 black-and-white illustrations.
Paul Smith is the lecturer in the history of art at the University of Bristol.
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