Artwork
Madame Cezanne
Madame Cezanne is a graphite drawing by the Impressionist artist Paul Cézanne. It dates from 1884 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:by later hand, lower right in graphite: XII; by later hand, upper right in graphite: 23
About this work
Overview
Created in 1884, this graphite drawing by Paul Cézanne depicts a seated woman from the shoulders up. Executed on wove paper, the work measures the artist’s early interest in rendering the human form with a restrained palette, focusing on line and tonal contrast rather than color.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter’s dark hair is gathered neatly, and she is dressed in a high‑necked garment. Her gaze is directed downward, lending a contemplative air to the composition. The subdued expression and modest attire suggest an intimate, private moment, inviting viewers to consider the quiet inner life of the figure.
Technique & Style
Cézanne employs bold, confident lines to outline the head and shoulders, while nuanced shading creates a gradual modeling of form. The interplay of light and shadow across the paper gives the portrait a three‑dimensional presence, illustrating the artist’s developing command of chiaroscuro within a monochrome medium.
History & Provenance
The drawing is part of the collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. It entered the museum’s holdings through acquisition in the 20th century, providing insight into Cézanne’s preparatory studies and his evolving approach to portraiture during the 1880s.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Paul Cézanne ( say-ZAN, UK also siz-AN, US also say-ZAHN; French: ; Occitan: Pau Cesana; 19 January 1839 – 22 October 1906) was a French Post-Impressionist painter whose work introduced new modes of representation,…
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![Bust of Madame Cezanne [verso], by Paul Cézanne](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/paul-cezanne--bust-of-madame-cezanne-verso--8686f7640dae3212-w320.webp)