Cezanne

by Françoise Cachin, Joseph J. Rishel

Published on the centenary of the artist's first one-man exhibition mounted in Paris, this catalogue contains more than 240 colorplates of works by Paul Cezanne (1839-1906), illuminated by thoughtful commentaries by an array of international scholars. Numerous black-and-white illustrations of paintings, drawings, watercolors, and sketchbook pages represent all aspects of his oeuvre. This volume's comprehensive review of the critical response evoked by Cézanne's work, both during his lifetime and afterward, is unprecedented in the literature on the artist. Also included are a fully documented, illustrated chronology and an annotated glossary of the collectors who acquired the work of the nineteenth-century master. Published to accompany the recent Cézanne retrospective organized by the Réunion des Musées Nationaux/Musée d'Orsay, Paris; the Tate Gallery, London; and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Awarded the prize for Best Museum Catalogue published in 1995&endash;96 by the International Association of Art Critics. Index.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction

600 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1996

Reviews

[Janelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to read a book on Cezanne after finishing Zola’s The Masterpiece because I realised I knew little about him apart from him and Zola being childhood friends. This book has an excellent overview of his work; criticism both contemporary and more recent; paintings, drawings and sketchbooks from all his work arranged in decades and there’s a very detailed chronology of his life.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful and huge book, going through each decade of his painting life, starting with 1860 til his death in 1906. I love his thick brush strokes. Bathers and landscapes are my favorite, but there are portraits here, and still life and fruit. It is funny to read early critiques that did not like neither Cezanne nor Manet, thinking their style too ugly.

He was friends with Claude Monet and Camille Pissarro. In 1873 Cézanne met Vincent van Gogh and in 1874 he exhibited at the Impressionist's first showcase. He drifted from the impressionist style, but I like his twist. Heavy brush strokes that look 'hasty' or 'violent' allow these paintings to become more fascinating the closer in distance you get to them.

I 'stole' this book for $5 at a used book sale. I love all the impressionists. I need to collect similar 1-artist collections like this one.

[Phillip · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.0 / 5.0
Very detailed explanation of works depicted, but sometimes a bit exaggerated and fawning. Graphics are not very good.

[Lydia · Rating 4 out of 5]

browsed large catalog, looking for technique for his unique stroke method. love the Choquet and Madame Cezanne paintings from 1870s.