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Study of the Allegorical Figure of the Genius of Health from Rubens' "The Birth of Louis XIII at Fontainbleau"

Paul Cezanne

1896

graphite

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Impressionism Realism Late 19th Century Allegory

Dominant colour

Study of the Allegorical Figure of the Genius of Health from Rubens' "The Birth of Louis XIII at Fontainbleau" is a 1896 graphite by Paul Cezanne, a Impressionism work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Paul Cezanne
When & what style?: 1896 · Impressionism
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This sketch shows a loose, wavy figure drawn in quick graphite lines. The shape looks like a person curled up, but it’s more like a tangle of branches or smoke than a clear form. The paper is light beige, and the lines are dark and uneven, almost like scribbles. The artist was copying a famous painting by Rubens, but this version feels raw and sketchy. The lines don’t quite connect, giving it a rough, unfinished look. Next, look up Cezanne, Paul to see how his style changed over time.