Cezanne: The Father Of Modern Art

Paul Cezanne was hailed as the Father of Modern Art by Picasso and Matisse. Want to find out why…?

What you'll learn

Via discussion of key examples, students will have an understanding of Cezanne’s art – including but also beyond “the famous ones”!

Students will develop an appreciation of Cezanne’s art in its historical and artistic contexts

Students will learn about Cezanne’s life, influences, and artistic legacy

This course seeks to develop students’ confidence in approaching art in general

Requirements

No prior knowledge is required - just an interest in exploring some lovely art in its historical context.

Description

In 1861, a shy young man from Aix-en-Provence made his way to Paris, in order to learn how to become a painter. He visited the Louvre, and admired the Old Masters – their technique, structure, and timelessness. He also discovered a group of discontented artists working in the city, who were grappling with the role of the artist in a modern world - striving to see nature fresh and clear, free from the straitjacket of academic tradition.The young man was Paul Cezanne. He never forgot the Old Masters in the museum, and for a while, he worked and exhibited with the young radicals, who were soon to be known as the Impressionists.Then he went home, scarcely leaving Provence for the rest of his life. As far as the Paris art world was concerned, he had ceased to exist. But he had not ceased to work. Alone in the deep south, he found out what it meant to be an artist, and in so doing, created paintings that would amaze the world. Shortly before his death, a new generation of painters began to discover his work and to call him Master. Picasso and Matisse both hailed him as the Father of Modern Art. This course will allow you to understand why.

Overview

Section 1: Welcome

Lecture 1 Welcome to the course

Section 2: Part 1

Lecture 2 Introduction: “Just” an Impressionist?

Lecture 3 Cezanne's early years

Lecture 4 To Paris

Lecture 5 New friends, new techniques

Lecture 6 Early still life and landscapes

Lecture 7 A bunch of lunatics, a woman, and modern Olympias

Lecture 8 Auvers, Pontoise, and a shifting approach to colour

Lecture 9 Impressionists, L’Estaque, and more colour

Lecture 10 The 3rd Exhibition

Lecture 11 Jas de Bouffan

Section 3: Part 2

Lecture 12 Recap and back to Jas de Bouffan

Lecture 13 Ways of seeing

Lecture 14 Montagne Sainte-Victoire

Lecture 15 Perfection in nature

Lecture 16 "Little creatures"

Lecture 17 A patient boy & other portraits

Lecture 18 Card players

Lecture 19 Dealers and critics

Lecture 20 Nude bathers

Lecture 21 A god of painting

Lecture 22 Wrapping up

This is suitable for complete beginners, as well as those who simply like some of Cezanne's art and would like to explore more, and those who already enjoy art history but want an informed introduction to Cezanne specifically.