Who painted Hand and Shoulder of a Boy?

Hand and Shoulder of a Boy was painted by Paul Cezanne in 1885.

Where can I see Hand and Shoulder of a Boy?

Hand and Shoulder of a Boy is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Hand and Shoulder of a Boy?

Hand and Shoulder of a Boy is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Hand and Shoulder of a Boy

Paul Cezanne , 1885

Hand and Shoulder of a Boy is a graphite drawing by the Impressionist artist Paul Cezanne. It dates from 1885 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Paul Cézanne’s drawing titled *Hand and Shoulder of a Boy* dates to around 1885. Executed in graphite on wove paper, the work presents a fragment of a youthful figure, focusing on the arm, shoulder, and hands. The composition is limited to this partial study, emphasizing gesture and form rather than narrative content.

Subject & Meaning

The sketch isolates a boy’s upper limb, capturing one hand resting near a folded cloth while the other reaches upward. By concentrating on this limited portion of the body, Cézanne explores the natural curvature and tension of the arm, offering insight into his interest in the mechanics of human posture.

Technique & Style

Rendered with quick, loose graphite lines, the drawing exhibits a spontaneous quality. The wove paper’s light, slightly textured surface allows for subtle smudging, which softens edges and suggests volume. The gestural strokes convey movement, while the imperfect lines reveal Cézanne’s experimental approach to rendering anatomical structure.

History & Provenance

Created in the mid-1880s, the work belongs to Cézanne’s series of preparatory studies that informed his later paintings. Specific details of its ownership history are not widely documented, but the drawing is recognized as part of the artist’s extensive archive of figure sketches from this period.