Who painted Rideau, Cruchon et Compotier?

Rideau, Cruchon et Compotier was painted by Paul Cezanne in 1897.

Where can I see Rideau, Cruchon et Compotier?

Rideau, Cruchon et Compotier is held by Whitney Museum of American Art.

What movement is Rideau, Cruchon et Compotier?

Rideau, Cruchon et Compotier is associated with Post-Impressionism.

Can I buy a print of Rideau, Cruchon et Compotier?

Museum-quality prints of Rideau, Cruchon et Compotier are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Rideau, Cruchon et Compotier

Paul Cezanne , 1897

Rideau, Cruchon et Compotier is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Paul Cezanne. It dates from 1897 and is held in the collection of the Whitney Museum of American Art. Created around 1893‑94, this oil on canvas by Paul Cézanne presents a restrained still‑life arrangement.

About this work

Overview

Created around 1893‑94, this oil on canvas by Paul Cézanne presents a restrained still‑life arrangement. A white cloth hangs over a table edge, supporting a pitcher, a fruit bowl and several loose pieces of fruit. The composition is organized to emphasize balance and spatial depth, with a muted background that recedes behind the objects.

Subject & Meaning

The work focuses on everyday objects—a jug, a bowl of fruit, and a draped cloth—arranged to explore their formal relationships. By positioning the pitcher and bowl centrally and scattering fruit around them, Cézanne investigates how simple items generate visual tension and harmony, inviting contemplation of shape and proportion rather than narrative content.

Technique & Style

Cézanne employs a subdued palette and soft, layered brushwork that modulates light across the surfaces. The handling of paint creates subtle tonal transitions, giving the cloth, ceramic, and fruit a tactile presence. The composition’s geometric underpinnings—vertical drapery, horizontal table edge, and circular forms—reflect his interest in constructing space through measured brushstrokes.

History & Provenance

After remaining in private collections for more than a century, the painting entered the market at Sotheby’s on 10 May 1999. It fetched $60.5 million, setting a record for the highest price ever paid for a still‑life at auction. The sale underscored the work’s significance within Cézanne’s oeuvre and the broader market for late‑19th‑century French art.