May Premier Antique & Collectibles
Lot 109:
Description
Signed (lower left)
Image Dimensions: 92 x 71 cm (36 1/4 x 28 in)
Paul Cezanne was a pivotal figure in the transition from 19th-century Impressionism to the revolutionary modernist movements of the 20th century. His work laid the foundation for Cubism and influenced artists such as Picasso and Matisse. Born in Aix-en-Provence in 1839, Cezanne spent much of his life studying form and structure, aiming to represent nature through geometric simplification and controlled brushstrokes. By the late 1890s, his mature style was marked by a delicate balance between line, volume, and color.
Painted in 1898, "Nu avec cheveux longs" is a striking example of Cezanne’s nude studies, reflecting his desire to build form through color modulation and brushwork rather than contour. The model’s elongated pose and tranquil expression are framed against a backdrop of subdued earth tones and draped white fabric, which provides a sculptural contrast to the warmth of her flesh. Her long hair cascading over her shoulder accentuates the vertical rhythm of the composition. The figure’s solidity is not rendered through strict anatomical detailing but through Cezanne’s unique construction of mass and light. This approach places the work at the cusp of classical tradition and modern abstraction.
Among Cezanne’s surviving works, depictions of full-length standing nudes are particularly rare. Most comparable pieces are preserved in institutional collections, including the Musee d’Orsay and the Hermitage Museum. When similar works have appeared at auction, they have consistently attracted significant attention from collectors and institutions alike, given their scarcity and historical importance.
In recent years, works of similar scale and subject from Cezanne’s late period have fetched between £3 million and £8 million at major auction houses. Notable examples include a seated nude from the same decade, sold at Christie’s London in 2021 for £6.2 million. This underscores strong and sustained demand for rare nude compositions by the artist.
In the history of modern art, Cezanne’s nude studies are more than exercises in figure drawing-they represent his exploration of structure, permanence, and the enduring weight of human form. Academic circles have often interpreted these paintings as philosophical meditations on presence and corporeality. Their influence echoes not only in Cubism but in nearly every subsequent movement concerned with volume and abstraction.
Due to its powerful presence and balanced proportions, this work lends itself to display in refined residential interiors or museum-quality gallery spaces. The serenity and elegance of the composition allow it to adapt effortlessly to both classical and contemporary environments.
This painting stands as a vivid example of Cezanne’s mastery at the turn of the century-a moment when art was rapidly evolving, yet grounded in timeless exploration of form. Its artistic value lies not only in its technique but also in its role as a bridge between centuries.
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