Paul Cezanne’s fascination with the architectural forms of the rugged Provence mountains is evident in his artwork “Mountains in the French Provence.” This painting, created between 1886-90, showcases his mature style and vision of nature as a detached, solid and stable presence that cannot be crossed.
Cezanne painted this scene from many different angles, showcasing his obsession with capturing every aspect of the mountain’s unique geological forms. He used bold blocks of color to achieve a new spatial effect known as “flat-depth,” which perfectly accommodated the unusual shapes of the mountains.
The bare foreground adds contrast to the painting and showcases how Cezanne set off the landscape like a craggy shore viewed from a passing boat at sea. Through these techniques, Cezanne was able to create a powerful image that showcased not only his love for nature but also his unique vision as an artist.
