Art Discussion : How was it made? II
Paul Cezanne
Still Life with Apples
History of the Artist
Paul Cézanne is widely appreciated as the forefather of modern interpretation of Colour. He is credited as the 1st Artist to use complimentary colours to create spacial depth.
His extensive love and deep appreciation for emotion and colour connection resonates throughout his entire body of Work.
Cézanne’s painting career lasted 45 years. His unique style bridges the gap between early Impressionism and the more material-centric ideals of the Expressionist, Cubists and Abstract Artist.
Cézanne had a fresh new approach to creating Art. He offered a new way of comprehending the world through Art.
His work, has been extremely influential to many Artists from the 1920’s onwards. His Art is still revered as one of the most influential Artists of all time.
Method and Mantra
Cézanne created a new method for painting. His Oil Paint application was very different to traditional methods used in the 1880’s. Cézanne would apply extremely thin layers of paint, wet with oil yet smooth and almost matte in appearance.
He would construct shapes and bodies, rather than paint them. His paintings were constructed with short, thick washes that were neither stroke-like nor pooling.
Cézanne worked the oil paint like ink from a fountain pen; smooth, thick, dripping but not wet.
Cézanne was very unsatisfied with the Impressionist notion that painting was primarily a reflection of visual perception. Cézanne made his painting practice a new form of analytical discipline.
For Cézanne, the canvas played the role of a screen. The artist’s visual sensations are registered as he/she gazes intensely, and repeatedly, at their given subject.
Creating a Masterpiece
Still Life with Apples 1895-98
This painting may appear unfinished, but in fact it isn’t. There are pockets of unpainted canvas laying exposed as if on purpose.
Cézanne engage you in a very delightful way. The dribbles of final brushstrokes on the tablecloth, allows your eyes to fill in the rest of the manic brushstroke.
It is as if your eyes are continuing to paint the Still Life in your mind.
Cézanne gets into your imagination in a way that Art hadn’t done before. This Still Life is awkward, uneven and haphazard. However, the fruit appears to be rolling on the table, bursting with juiciness and the tablecloth; in all its untidiness, calls you into something oddly familiar.
Cézanne uses complimentary colours to create spacial depth in a very soft, pleasant way. This painting is serene and calm, inviting you in, in a very pleasant way.
Dear Readers
I share fantastic Art History tidbits with all my In-Studio and Virtual Classroom Students. I believe that learning how to make Art is only part of your Artistic Journey. Here at SRA, I foster in you a deep appreciation for all genres of Art.
