The artwork entitled “Preparation for the Funeral,” created by artist Paul Cezanne in 1869, is an oil on canvas that embodies the characteristics of Romanticism. Measuring 49 cm by 80 cm, this genre painting currently resides within a private collection. Its medium delicately conveys a narrative that is both personal and evocative, typical of the romantic sentiments prevalent during the era in which it was crafted.
Although associated with Romanticism, the artwork exhibits a somber and contemplative scene that seems to prefigure the shifting tendencies in Cezanne’s body of work toward the exploration of form and structure, hallmarks of his later contributions to Post-Impressionism. The painting portrays three figures. The most prominent figure, occupying the center of the composition, appears to be actively engaged in preparing the deceased for burial. This person is bent over intently, possibly cleaning or anointing the body. Adjacent to this scene, there is a seated individual, draped in black, who provides a stark contrast to the vivid hues of the attendant’s clothing.
The corpse is rendered with a ghastly pallor, providing an immediate focus on the central theme of mortality. The use of light and shadow creates an arresting visual drama, while the loose, expressive brushwork conveys the emotional intensity of the moment. The figures are firmly rooted in the foreground against a dark, nondescript background, which focuses all attention on the ritualistic actions taking place, emphasizing the solemnity of the occasion. The rawness of the strokes and the characteristically bold use of color speak to the emotional undertones present in this arresting tableau.
