Paul Cezanne’s Bend in Forest Road, also known as Route Tournante En Sous-Bois, is one of his most celebrated artworks. Created during his final period in the Cubism style from 1902-1906, this oil on canvas painting depicts a bend in a forest road. With its unique blend of color and form, it conveys Cezanne’s intense study of his subjects.
Cezanne was influenced to start painting landscapes in 1870 by young Impressionist Camille Pissarro. He later exhibited with the Impressionists in 1874 and 1877 before developing his own style. As time progressed, Cezanne’s handling of paint became more systematic and ordered.
Although the current location and owner of this artwork remain undisclosed, its conceptual framework remains essential to any critical appreciation of modern art history. The Bend in Forest Road is an exemplary piece conveying bold geometric shapes that embody traditional classical motifs while still retaining some level of abstractness that could be described as early indications towards modernism.
