Paul Cézanne was born in 1839 in a commune in Southern France and would go on to play an iconic role in the development of modern art. His father was the founder of a financial firm that prospered, providing Cézanne immense stability throughout his life, a luxury not common among artists from this era. His mother was more of a free-spirit, and highly outspoken, which influenced Cézanne's perspectives in life. When he was 18, he attended the Free Municipal School for Drawing in Aix and studied the arts under a Spanish Monk. 

Despite his father's initial protests, Cézanne devoted himself to his artistic career and left for Paris, where he met already successful impressionist artists like Camille Pissarro. He and Pissarro spent a decade learning, collaborating, and painting. Cézanne's art developed with his perspective, from impressionist to post-impressionist, wanting to depict nature with its base geometric shapes. He combined this geometric fascination with an eye for detail and a stunning talent for portraiture. 

1. The Overture to Tannhauser: The Artist's Mother and Sister, 1868 

(By Paul Cézanne, Wikimedia Commons)  

2. The Black Marble Clock, 1869-1871

(By Paul Cézanne, Wikimedia Commons)  

3. The Railway Cutting, 1870

(By Paul Cézanne, Wikimedia Commons)  

4. L'Estaque, Melting Snow, 1871

(By Paul Cézanne, Wikimedia Commons)  

5. View of Auvers, 1873 

(By Paul Cézanne, Wikimedia Commons)

6. Jas de Bouffan, The Pond, 1876

(By Paul Cézanne, Wikimedia Commons)  

7. The Bay of Marseilles seen from L'Estaque (Le golfe de Marseille vu de l’Estaque), 1883

(By Paul Cézanne, Wikimedia Commons)  

8. Chestnut Trees and Farm at Jas de Bouffan, 1885-1887

(By Paul Cézanne, Wikimedia Commons)  

Much of his work was not well-received by the public, with bolder pieces enraging the people of his home town and claiming him to be a dishonor. However, for many artists and art connoisseurs, Cézanne's art led to the development of other major styles like Fauvism and Expressionism. Cézanne sought to break away from the classic elements of a painting and simply capture the essence of that unique moment in time. 

9. Gardanne, 1886

(By Paul Cézanne, Wikimedia Commons)  

10. House in Provence, 1886-1890

(By Paul Cézanne, Wikimedia Commons)  

11. Kitchen Table (Still Life With Basket), 1888-1890 

(By Paul Cézanne, Wikimedia Commons)  

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12. The Card Players, 1890-1892

(By Paul Cézanne, Wikimedia Commons)  

13. Still Life, Drapery, Pitcher, and Fruit Bowl, 1893-1894

(By Paul Cézanne, Wikimedia Commons)  

14. Large Pine and Red Earth, 1895

(By Paul Cézanne, Wikimedia Commons)  

Both Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse have described Cézanne as "the father of us all" and have been heavily influenced by his work. As we stroll through this sublime gallery of Cézanne's greatest works, you will see how the sensations blend and time stops, just as this incomparable artist intended.

15. Annecy Lake, 1896

(By Paul Cézanne, Wikimedia Commons)  

16. The Great Pine, 1898 

(By Paul Cézanne, Wikimedia Commons)  

17. Road at the Mont Sainte-Victoire, 1898-1902

(By Paul Cézanne, Wikimedia Commons)  

18. Apples and Oranges (Pommes et Oranges), 1899 

(By Paul Cézanne, Wikimedia Commons)  

19. Château-Noir, 1900-1904

(By Paul Cézanne, Wikimedia Commons)  

20. Pyramid of Skulls, 1901

(By Paul Cézanne, Wikimedia Commons)  

21. Still Life with Teapot, 1902-1906

(By Paul Cézanne, Wikimedia Commons)

22. Mount Sainte-Victoire, 1904

(By Paul Cézanne, Wikimedia Commons)  

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