Paul Cézanne

Jon Kear examines Cezanne's youth in Provence, a formative period which left a deep and abiding impression on the artist's painting, as well as exploring his turbulent time in Paris and the larger-than-life artistic persona he created for himself during these years. His initial style, characterized by violent and explicit subject matter and a rugged manner of painting, gave rise to an enduring mythology of the artist. Jon Kear explores the personal and artistic relationships that influenced Cezanne: from his close friendship with Emile Zola to his artistic dialogue with Edouard Manet, collaboration with Camille Pissarro and association with the impressionists. Above all, this book tells the story of Cezanne's life as a part of the pivotal shift towards the twentieth century, illuminating how much his work and ideas helped to usher it in. -- Back cover of book.