Studies of Assyrian figures (two-sided)

Studies of Assyrian figures (two-sided) is an early, preparatory work by Paul Cézanne, executed in graphite between 1859 and 1869. This drawing exemplifies the rigorous academic training Cézanne undertook during his foundational years in France. The choice of graphite as a medium underscores the piece's function as a study, focusing intently on the careful rendering of volume and sculptural form, a necessary exercise for artists operating within the 19th-century French academy structure.

Cézanne dedicated this early drawing to capturing the stylized formality and muscular structure of Assyrian figures, likely copying from plaster casts or published engravings available at institutions like the Louvre. The detailed depiction of ancient Near Eastern subjects, though far removed from the artist’s later pioneering approach to color and landscape, was a mandatory component of classical European art education. The two-sided nature of the sheet confirms its use as a straightforward practice document, illustrating Cézanne’s focus on mastering linear structure and foundational shading techniques.

This preparatory draftsmanship provides valuable insight into the developmental trajectory of one of modern art’s most influential figures. Cézanne’s initial approach to form seen here contrasts sharply with the geometric solidity and broken color of his mature output. The Metropolitan Museum of Art holds this significant work on paper as part of its expansive collection. While the original resides securely in the museum, the piece’s importance means that high-resolution scans and prints of this key study are often made available through public domain art initiatives.