Cézannes Composition: Analysis of His Form with Diagrams and Photographs of His Motifs

by Erle Loran, Richard Shiff (Foreword)

This book had its provenance in the late 1920s, when Erle Loran, then a young artist who wanted to fathom the mysteries of Cézanne's structural form, took up residence in the master’s studio in Aix-en-Provence. For several years he lived there and painted, and when he came across familiar motifs in the countryside, he took snapshots of the setting. These photographs assisted Loran in his analysis of Cézanne's composition and served as the basis for this book, which analyzes over 30 of Cézanne's paintings. This new edition brings Loran’s milestone study up-to-date with a new foreword by art historian Richard Shiff, who places Loran’s work into today’s art historical context.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction

169 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1943

Reviews

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an extremely complicated, academic, difficult to read, detailed analysis Cézanne’s composition. Fortunately the attached diagrams somewhat help to explain the theory behind it.
Furthermore, it is well established in academic circles that Cézanne had no pupils, followers or didn’t establish a school. However, the author, in agreement with a number of scholars, concludes that no other artist, only Cézanne alone is the “Father of modern painting”. Well, I’m not sure about that.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isn't really a book you 'read,' but something for your studio. No need for art school with this sumbitch. The diagrams and tutorials about the 2-d picture plane are extremely helpful. Yeah, I love the metaphysical picture plane, so sue me. Cezanne mumbles to me from the grave: "Composition isn't conceptualism; it's work, you 'tard~!" But in French.

The portion on Cezanne's methods and materials is useful. And the analyses of his motifs offer lots of ways to enter into his compositions. This book can be extremely boring, so you know you'll get better from reading it.

[Frightful_elk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Essential reading for all painters! A great analysis of Cezannes compositional concerns, sure to provoke thought and response in all practicing painters.

[Kevin Cooney · Rating 5 out of 5]

By far the best book on painting I have read