The artwork titled “Boy in a Red Vest” is an oil on canvas painting crafted by Paul Cezanne in 1889. This portrait is a quintessential example of the Post-Impressionism movement and measures 64.5 by 80 centimeters. The piece is part of the collection at the E.G. Bührle Foundation, situated in Zürich, Switzerland.
Depicted in the artwork is a young boy donning a vibrant red vest, his pose one of relaxed contemplation. His elbow rests upon a table, with his hand supporting his head, suggesting a moment of introspection or perhaps weariness. The tones used in the portrait convey a sense of solidity and weight, emblematic of Cezanne’s style which often explored the underlying structures of the natural world through the medium of paint.
Romanesque in treatment, the fabrication of form in the portrait through color patches and brushstrokes lends a sculptural quality to the composition. The colors range from the eponymous red of the vest to the pale shades of the boy’s complexion and the deep greens and blues that backdrop the figure. The narration of the artwork traverses beyond mere representation; it is a study of form, color, and light — a testament to Cezanne’s contribution to the Post-Impressionist exploration that paved the way for modern art.
