His shifting affections between Impressionism’s precepts and Classical structures underpinned by geometry make Cézanne an unusual transitional figure.
Now considered an essential post-Impressionist pioneer leading toward Cubism and modern art, Paul Cézanne actually exhibited in the first Impressionist shows in 1874 and 1877. However Cézanne marched to the beat of his own drum. His shifting affections between Impressionism’s precepts and Classical structures underpinned by geometry make Cézanne an unusual transitional figure. Still life subjects allowed exploration of theory through layered paint conveying volumetric heft. Increasingly this gave way to simplified landscapes like scenes of Mont Sainte-Victoire painted repeatedly from differing angles. Cézanne both learned from Impressionist luminaries Pissarro and Renoir while formulating an intensely personal vision that profoundly impacted Matisse and Picasso to guide modernism’s future direction.