Paul Cézanne

The influential artwork Paul Cézanne is a profound portrait created by the French master Pierre-Auguste Renoir in 1902. Although Renoir is predominantly known for his vibrant Impressionist paintings, this specific piece is classified as a print, utilizing the demanding medium of lithography. Created around c. 1902, this lithograph captures the likeness of Renoir’s contemporary and fellow Post-Impressionist pioneer, Paul Cézanne, reflecting the deep personal and professional connections within the Parisian avant-garde at the turn of the century.

The creation of portraits in print form allowed Renoir to circulate images of important figures outside the traditional oil painting market. This particular work features a characteristic delicate, yet rapid, handling of the lithographic crayon, visible in the textural qualities used to render Cézanne’s face and expression. Renoir often maintained strong ties with his artistic peers, and his decision to portray Cézanne, who was actively developing his revolutionary approach to form and structure, highlights the mutual respect shared among the leading French artists of the era. Unlike the colorful, sun-drenched canvases typically associated with the Impressionist movement, Renoir utilized the graphic capabilities of the lithograph to achieve a stark, focused study of his subject, emphasizing character over color.

This significant example of early 20th-century French printmaking is currently held in the esteemed collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). As a valuable record of the relationship between two giants of modern art, the piece serves as an important cultural document from the period c. 1902. Historically significant prints such as this provide key insights into artistic exchanges and techniques of the era, and while the original work remains at MoMA, high-quality reproductions are frequently referenced globally, often available today through various institutional and public domain initiatives for study and appreciation.