Description of the picture:
Madame Cezanne with her hair loose – Paul Cezanne. 1890. Oil on canvas. 62 x 51 cm
The portrait was painted with live, active brush strokes appropriate for the artist, creating the desired dynamics in a static image. The picture was made in a restrained color politra, and for this, a lot of different colors were used to create the texture and volume of the image. This technique allows you to get the color depth, reproduce the structure of the material and make a practically tangible memory of the reality of the canvas.
In this portrait, the post-impressionist mood of Cezanne found expression. The usual pose of a lady with her head slightly tilted to one side, her sad face and frozen look are perfectly conveyed by the master. The sculpting of the face is especially expressive – its shape is literally highlighted with a few strokes, the shadows under the eyes are outlined, and a feverish blush is applied. Reddish highlights in the hair are in harmony with the image of the face, creating a complete image.
The texture of the striped dress of a woman is a special topic. The fabric is written in many small strokes, which is why it acquires an expressive volume and texture. The same lilac and purple reflections are reflected in Madame Cezanne’s loose hair, emphasizing the integrity of the composition and the harmony of colors. Dress is a real masterpiece of impressionist painting.
At first glance, the wall behind the woman’s back, which serves as the background, does not represent anything so special. It is smooth, with no details and no decoration. But it is worth peering into the canvas to see what variety of tones the artist used to convey the color and texture of its surface. If from a distance it seems yellowish-gray, then upon closer examination it reveals pink, lilac, olive, lemon and many other shades of color.
A master’s painting is an expression of all the accumulated experience and knowledge in painting. This is his achievement in understanding the role of color and light in conveying the impression of reality."