Artwork

Paul Cézanne

Paul Cézanne, by Édouard Vuillard, 1914
Paul Cézanne, by Édouard Vuillard, 1914

Paul Cézanne is a print by Édouard Vuillard. It dates from 1914 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Paul Cézanne is a portrait print created by French artist Édouard Vuillard in 1914, characterized by loose lines, dark shading, and a textured background, focusing attention on the subject's face.

Subject & Meaning

The portrait depicts Paul Cézanne, a fellow French artist, with a subtle, sidelong pose, emphasizing facial expression through expressive shading around the eyes and mouth.

Technique & Style

Vuillard employed a quick, sketchy technique, with scribbled lines and a blurred, rough-hewn background, suggesting a study or preliminary work rather than a polished, finished piece.

History & Provenance

Originally part of Édouard Vuillard's oeuvre, the print is now held in the permanent collection of The Cleveland Museum of Art.

Context

Created after Vuillard's transition from the Nabis group's pure color emphasis to a more realistic approach, this work reflects his evolving style, balancing spontaneity with representational elements.

Legacy

While not a definitive portrait, it offers insight into Vuillard's expressive capabilities and his connection to Cézanne, contributing to the broader record of early 20th-century French artistic interactions.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Édouard Vuillard

Artist

Édouard Vuillard

Jean-Édouard Vuillard (French: ; 11 November 1868 – 21 June 1940) was a French painter, decorative artist, and printmaker.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.