The artwork titled “Madame Cezanne with Unbound Hair,” created by the esteemed artist Paul Cezanne circa 1887, is a significant oil on canvas painting that belongs to the Post-Impressionism movement. The portrait measures 62 by 51 cm and currently resides at the Philadelphia Museum of Art in Philadelphia, PA, USA. This work is a synthesis of the personal and artistic, as it depicts Madame Cezanne, the artist’s wife, and serves as a testament to Cezanne’s exploration of form and color.
The artwork portrays Madame Cezanne in a reflective pose, her gaze slightly averted from the viewer. Her hair, although described as unbound, appears contained and neat. Cezanne employs a somber palette, with predominance of earthy tones accented by subtle hints of pink on her cheeks, suggesting a flush of life amidst the otherwise muted colors. The brushwork is characteristic of Cezanne’s later style with its structured, almost architectural layering that coexists with the softness of the subject’s features. The background is rendered in a loose, ambiguous manner which allows the figure to stand out, drawing the viewer’s focus to the contours and expression of Madame Cezanne. The interplay of light and shadow subtly models her face, yet the painting eschews fine detail in favor of capturing the essence of the sitter’s character and mood.
This portrait exemplifies Cezanne’s significant contribution to the bridge between the Impressionism of the late 19th century and the Cubism that would flourish in the early 20th century. It is not merely a depiction of a person, but rather a meticulous study of form, light, and color that conveys the deeply personal connection between the artist and his muse.
