Studies of a tree (recto and verso)

Studies of a tree (recto and verso) is a significant drawing created by Paul Cézanne between 1887 and 1890, a critical period in his development toward mature Post-Impressionism. This meticulous study utilizes graphite combined with delicate watercolor washes. The recto side is executed primarily in green, blue, and yellow washes, characteristic of Cézanne’s attempts to capture the shifting light and structure of natural forms. The piece demonstrates his intense focus on the subject of trees, isolating the motif to analyze its underlying geometry and volume.

Cézanne frequently returned to natural elements as structural anchors in his compositions. The handling of the washes, particularly the layered use of color over the graphite lines, showcases the artist’s highly disciplined method of building three-dimensional form through subtle chromatic variation rather than relying solely on traditional contour lines or shading. The reverse side (verso) of this double-sided work presents a related, yet distinct, study employing graphite along with green, blue, and purple washes.

This contrast between the recto and verso highlights the iterative nature of Cézanne's drawing process, where multiple solutions to the same formal problem were explored simultaneously on a single sheet of paper. The period 1887-1890 was vital for the artist, solidifying the analytical techniques that would influence Cubism decades later. This masterwork of drawing is part of the extensive collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. High-quality prints of this influential study are often sought after, preserving access to the work even when the original sheet is not on view, sometimes derived from sources entering the public domain.