The artwork titled “Paul Alexis Reading at Zola’s House,” created by Paul Cézanne in 1870, is an oil on canvas painting measuring 52 x 56 cm. Categorized as a portrait, it is associated with the Romanticism art movement, despite the artist’s later role in the development of Post-Impressionism. Currently, this piece resides in a private collection, underscoring its exclusivity.
The painting captures a scene inside a room where two figures are present. On the right, Paul Alexis is depicted seated and engrossed in reading a book, with one hand holding the book while the other appears to be turning a page, and on the left, a figure, presumably the artist, is shown listening intently while seated with elbows on the table. The strong contrast of colors and the play of light and shadow give the room a dramatic and intimate atmosphere. These elements emphasize the quiet concentration of Alexis and the attentive posture of the listener. The brushwork is loose and expressive, characteristic of Cezanne’s style, which allows the viewer to feel the weight of the moment being shared between the writer and his audience.
