Portrait of the Artist Looking Over His Shoulder
- Original dimensions
- 25 x 25 cm
Scene depicted
In this painting, Cézanne immortalizes a fleeting moment, a gaze turned towards the past, highlighting an intimate scene where the artist seems to question his own journey. The artist's posture, bent over, conveys a deep reflection, a personal quest that transcends time and invites introspection.
Historical context
Œuvre : Portrait de l’artiste regardant par-dessus son épaule |BRK| Artiste : Paul Cézanne |BRK| Année : 1883 |BRK| Musée : musée d'art contemporain Goulandrís |BRK| Dimensions : 25 x 25 cm |BRK|
Place in the artist's career
This work is situated at a decisive turning point in Cézanne's career. It marks a balance between his promising beginnings and his stylistic evolution towards an abstraction that would influence many later artists. Alongside other iconic paintings such as “The Montagne Sainte-Victoire” and “The Card Players,” this portrait underscores the growing maturity of his artistic language.
Anecdote
“I paint with light, I capture it with passion,” said Cézanne when discussing his creative process. The artist's inspirations often stem from astonishing encounters – a sunlit alley, the sweet song of birds in the early morning. Thus, the masterpiece “Portrait of the Artist Looking Over His Shoulder” evokes this fleeting magic.