The artwork “Paul Alexis Reading a Manuscript to Emile Zola” is a creation of the revered artist Paul Cézanne, made circa 1870. Fashioned from oil on canvas, this portrait, sized at 130 x 160 cm, depicts a moment between the literary figures Paul Alexis and Emile Zola. Despite being classified under the Romanticism movement, the artwork’s style heralds Cézanne’s evolving aesthetic, which would be pivotal to shaping Post-Impressionism. It is currently housed in the Museo de Arte de São Paulo (MASP), located in São Paulo, Brazil.
The artwork presents an intimate scene, featuring two men engaged in a deeply personal exchange: the reading of a manuscript. On the left, Paul Alexis stands with a set of papers in hand, seemingly engrossed in his reading. His gaze is directed towards the manuscript, indicating concentration and a moment of sharing knowledge or creative work. On the right, Emile Zola is seated, his attention captured by the words being spoken. Zola, with a contemplative expression, appears to be critically assessing the content or simply enjoying the narrative.
The painting employs a subdued color palette with a dominance of dark tones, shadows, and muted lighting, which creates a contemplative atmosphere appropriate for the scene. Cézanne’s brushwork, loose and expressive, contributes to the emotional depth of the moment portrayed. The artwork’s composition and the manner in which the figures are rendered exemplify a departure from the more formal conventions of Romanticism, hinting at Cézanne’s transition towards the Post-Impressionist approach that would later become associated with his legacy in art history.
