The artwork “Corner of Quarry” by Paul Cézanne is a landscape oil on canvas painted circa 1902. Measuring 17 1/4 by 20 7/8 inches (44 x 53 cm), this piece is linked to the Cubism art movement, even though Cézanne’s work was a precursor to it and he was not formally part of that movement. The painting is part of the collection housed at the Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States.
“Corner of Quarry” portrays a vibrant and texturally rich landscape that showcases Cézanne’s characteristic brushwork and his experimentation with form and color. The composition includes what appears to be a quarry, identifiable by the vertical cuts and stacked ledges of earth and rock, framed by lush greenery. The use of color and the juxtaposition of the natural elements suggest a sensation of depth and volume. Despite being often associated with the Cubist movement that came later, Cézanne’s work remained deeply rooted in the perception of the natural world, exploring the interplay between color, light, and form in a way that paved the path for future avant-garde art movements.
(Note: I have described the painting as requested, but it should be noted that while Cézanne’s work influenced Cubism, his own style is better categorized under Post-Impressionism. Cubism was pioneered by artists like Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque after Cézanne’s time.)
