Study of a Harlequin

"Study of a Harlequin," created by Paul Cézanne French, 1839-1906, is a foundational preparatory drawing executed in graphite on ivory laid paper. Dating from the long, active period between 1883 and 1893, this work illustrates the artist's continuous engagement with structure and form, themes that defined his Post-Impressionist career. This classification of Drawing provides essential insight into the rigorous methodological process Cézanne employed before transitioning to oil paint.

The Harlequin, a figure drawn from the Italian Commedia dell'arte, was a recurring motif in Cézanne’s later works. The figure allowed the artist to investigate the volume and mass of the human form, often using his son, Paul fils, as a model. The graphite medium emphasizes the robust, geometric lines that Cézanne used to articulate the figure's pose and costume, prioritizing plastic representation over narrative detail. Working primarily in France, Cézanne aimed to restructure visual space through geometric simplification, a practice that profoundly influenced the subsequent development of modern art.

This piece is highly significant as an antecedent to Cézanne’s definitive Harlequin paintings. The careful cross-hatching and modeling demonstrated here reveal the deliberate, methodical process by which Cézanne built up the illusion of weight and three-dimensionality. The work is housed in the esteemed collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, serving as a vital example of the foundational studies executed by the master. Because of its historical importance, this work and similar pieces by Cézanne are frequently digitized, making high-quality images available for educational purposes and contributing to the global public domain of art prints.