Portrait of Paul Cézanne
Original title: Portrait of Paul Cézanne
kurzbeschreibung
In 1874 Camille Pissarro made this etching, a portrait of his fellow painter Paul Cézanne. Cézanne appears calm and withdrawn, and the print is executed in black and white.
Description
Cézanne turns his head slightly to the left. He wears a cap and a collared jacket; his full beard and moustache stand out. His arms are folded in front of his body, the left hand gripping the right forearm. The background has no detail, directing attention to the sitter. The lines are detailed and vary in strength, giving the image structure and depth.
Context
The etching dates from 1874, the year of the first Impressionist exhibition, in which both Pissarro and Cézanne took part. Pissarro drew his friend and colleague during a period of close artistic collaboration. The work was printed in only one state on laid paper; it bears the artist's signature and the date.
Impact
The precise linework and the sitter's quiet pose give the print a concentrated, intimate presence. Because the background is barely developed, Cézanne's personality comes to the fore. As a result, the etching feels timeless and almost monumental.
Technique
This is an etching on laid paper that exists in only one state. Varying line thicknesses create a lively texture. The plate measures 26.9 x 21.5 cm, the sheet 44.8 x 29.2 cm.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)