Mrs. Cézanne with a Fan
- Original dimensions
- 66 x 81 cm
- Museum
- Emil G. Bührle Foundation and Collection
- Year
- 1883
Scene depicted
This canvas , often celebrated for its refined simplicity, depicts Hortense Fiquet, Cézanne's wife, posing with an elegant fan. The scene, imbued with calm, seems to vibrate, revealing a warm intimacy. Each brushstroke testifies to the unique relationship between the artist and his model, intensifying with every glance.
Historical context
Created in 1883 in Aix-en-Provence, this painting is emblematic of the post-impressionism movement. In a soft and delicate light, it captures the essence of Provençal life, reflecting the harmony of a frozen moment. The canvas is currently housed at the Emil G. Bührle Foundation, a gem in Zurich, which holds a collection of artworks of inestimable value.
Place in the artist's career
“Mme Cézanne à l'éventail” represents not only a significant milestone in Cézanne's career but also a pivot in the evolution of his style. Compared to “The Card Players” and “Mont Sainte-Victoire,” it illustrates his transition to a more nuanced abstraction, where color and form unite in a celebration of art.
Anecdote
“The fan is a breath of fresh air in our warm universe,” Cézanne once said, inspired by the elegant presence of his muse, Hortense Fiquet. On that spring morning, in his studio, the sweet scent of flowers mingled with the light filtered through the shutters, seemed to nourish the vibrant energy of the painting that was being born under his fingers.