Artwork

Footpath in the Woods

Footpath in the Woods, by Paul Cezanne, 1883
Footpath in the Woods, by Paul Cezanne, 1883

Footpath in the Woods is a drawing by the Impressionist artist Paul Cezanne. It dates from 1883 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Footpath in the Woods is a drawing by Paul Cézanne, created using a combination of graphite and watercolor on paper. The work depicts a serene landscape scene.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing shows a winding path through tall chestnut trees at the Jas de Bouffan, Cézanne's family estate near Aix-en-Provence. Cézanne favored timeless subjects like landscape, using the natural setting to explore composition and structure.

Technique & Style

Cézanne employed a range of techniques, including graphite lines and muted watercolor washes, alongside leaving areas of the paper blank to convey sunlight and depth. His methodical, constructive approach to mark-making built a cohesive, three-dimensional representation of the woods.

Context

Watercolor was a medium Cézanne used throughout his career for experimentation and developing new ideas, allowing him to explore different techniques and effects.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Paul Cezanne

Artist

Paul Cezanne

Paul Cézanne was born on January 19, 1839, in Aix-en-Provence, the son of a hatter turned wealthy banker.

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