The artwork titled “Mill on the River” was created by Paul Cezanne circa 1906. It is a watercolor on paper reflecting influences from the Cubist art movement. The dimensions of this landscape genre piece measure approximately 31 by 49 centimeters. This work showcases Cezanne’s transition towards the abstraction that would become a hallmark of Cubism.
In examining the artwork, one can observe a delicate interplay of color and form. The palette is subtle yet varied, consisting of muted greens, blues, and earth tones that suggest the natural setting of a riverside mill. The composition appears fragmented, with shapes overlapping and intersecting in a manner that doesn’t immediately divulge a clear depiction of the scenery. The strokes of watercolor are loose and seemingly spontaneous, showcasing the artist’s freedom of expression and departure from strict representational accuracy. Despite the abstraction, certain elements, such as the structure of the mill and the foliage, can be discerned. This suggests a blending of the observable world with the artist’s internal vision and conceptual exploration. Cezanne’s approach in “Mill on the River” reflects his pivotal role in the development of modern art and foreshadows the more geometric dissections of form characteristic of Cubism.
