Paul Cézanne, French Post-Impressionist and Cubism painter

Paul Cézanne (1839 - 1906), French Post-Impressionist painter said to be the bridge between 19th century Impressionism and 20th century Cubism. Picasso and Matisse referred to him as "the father of us all".

Now there's a grandiose opening line if ever there was one! 

Cézanne was born in Aix-en-Provence, just south of Lyon. His father was a wealthy banker and his mother a spirited, vivacious, and romantic person. She was his inspiration. Cézanne went to school and studied drawing; there, he met Émile Zola and Baptistin Baille with whom he became inseperable. Later, his father wished for him to study Law, but Cézanne  objected and pursued his interest in art. Eventually his father gave in to his wishes and supported him financially. Upon his father's death, Cézanne received a very large inheritance meaning he never had to suffer from financial worries and was utterly free to pursue his art. 

In the beginning of his career, Cézanne focused on painting landscapes and imaginative figures within them.  This developed in a desire to simplify nature into its geometric essential forms. In the beginning his work was soundly rejected, finally in 1866 he had his first submission to the Salon in Paris. He enjoyed public recognition and financial success in his lifetime, but preferred to stay out of the lime light and painted primarily in the south of France, in his beloved Provence. 

His work is broken down into the following categories: 

Dark period, Paris 1861-187

Impressionist period, Provence and Paris (1870-1878)

Mature period, Provence (1878-1890)

Final period, Provence (1890-1905)

In 1906, he died at the age of 67 as a result of catching pneumonia while painting a landscape in a field and being caught in a downpour. He is buried in Aix-en-Provence. 

Paul Cézanne was one of the most influential artists of the 19th century and the father of Cubism.

Voila! Gros bisous des beaux tableaux et a demain.

Love, Charley