The artwork “Madame Cezanne in Blue” was created by the renowned artist Paul Cezanne in 1890. This oil on canvas painting belongs to the Post-Impressionism movement, characterized by bold colors and brushwork. The work measures 74.1 cm by 60 cm and is a portrait genre piece that captures the artist’s wife, Hortense Fiquet Cezanne, in a contemplative pose.
The artwork depicts Madame Cezanne seated, facing slightly to the viewer’s right. The color scheme is dominated by cool hues, with varying shades of blue enveloping her attire. The brushwork is loose and expressive, a signature of Cezanne’s style, which imparts a tactile feeling to the surfaces within the painting. The background features a contrast between the dark brownish tones likely representing the interior space and the lighter, softer colors in the area that may suggest a window or a source of light. The subject’s expression is subdued and introspective, creating a sense of quietude amidst the dynamic application of paint. The flatness of the composition, avoidance of traditional perspective, and the shift in viewpoints is indicative of the Post-Impressionist movement’s departure from the realistic depictions of earlier periods.