The artwork “Madame Cézanne in a Yellow Chair,” created by Paul Cézanne circa 1891, is an oil on canvas portrait that exemplifies the Post-Impressionist movement. Currently, the painting is part of the collection at the Art Institute of Chicago, located in Chicago, IL, United States. This piece is significant for its approach to portraiture within the context of Post-Impressionism.
The artwork depicts Madame Cézanne, the artist’s wife, seated in a yellow chair that contrasts strikingly with the muted background and her dark clothing. The palette consists of earthy tones, with particular emphasis on browns and yellows, and a touch of blue in the backdrop that hints at a cool, receding space behind her. Madame Cézanne is portrayed with a solemn expression, her posture upright and hands delicately placed one over the other, suggesting a moment of stillness or contemplation.
Cézanne’s use of color and brushwork exemplifies his departure from the precise representation of the Impressionists, moving towards bolder, more abstract forms that influence the viewer’s perception of space and form within the painting. The artist’s technique—a combination of solidly modeled figures and brushstrokes that define the volume of the chair and the sitter’s attire—demonstrates an exploration of form that is characteristic of Post-Impressionist work. The composition overall displays a sense of stability and structure, reflecting Cézanne’s desire to make of Impressionism something solid and enduring like the art of museums.
