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_Analysis of Paul Cezanne's work _
By: sarah
ANALYSIS OF CEZANNE’S “STILL LIFE WITH A PEPPERMINT BOTTLE” Paul Cezanne is
considered one of the greatest and most memorable artists of the
Post-Impressionist period. His techniques were admired and greatly influential
in the development of Cubism and many other modern art movements. He employed
several styles in his works, such as his still life productions. In 1894 he
produced a brilliant piece of work entitled “Still Life with a Peppermint
Bottle”. Through this work he used elaborate techniques that most artists had
not even discovered during his era. Cezanne mastered the technique of still
life. In his paintings he used random objects such as a peppermint bottles and
fruit (these examples taken from his painting, ‘Still Life with a Peppermint
Bottle’), which symbolized the private part of man’s nature. Jane Roberts
supports this idea in stating that, “ … man will gladly surround himself with
beloved knick knacks with which he can be isolated with and alone…” (Roberts
213). She goes on to say that these objects are contemplative in nature,
allowing man to sit and ponder their meaning. When I speak of contemplation, I
mean that every object is taken into account and their meaning of existence
and placement are reflected upon. The fruit on the table has many other
meanings besides being edible or for human use. By observing the fruit, you
come to realize that the fruit is not being used for a human purpose, such as
for food. It is something to be contemplated rather than considered for human
needs, it is of a non-human essence and exists mainly for the eye. It is meant
to be explored in vision alone and tantalize the eye. The next object that is
noticed in the painting are the images of the flask and peppermint bottle. The
peppermint bottle is drawn with an elegant double curvature, which reappears
in the simple rounding of the fruit. The darker shades emitted from the bottle
and flask creates a sense of intensity and warmth. The flask is compared to
the peppermint bottle as simpler, but yet illustrious. This object is depicted
as having no use in human purpose; its only purpose is merely to be
contemplated by the observer. The elegant curves of the peppermint bottle and
the flask can be described as being simple but yet bold. They seem to stand
out in the picture and are the first to be noticed due to their great design.
They seem to be superior over the rest of the objects in the painting. The
next thing noticed by the human eye is the elegant drapery that is placed over
the table. The drapery seems to have the greatest curves in the entire
painting. It is freely drawn but is still has the constricting folds and
curves. However, even though it is freely drawn the observer can see that it
works in complete harmony with the other objects in the painting. All of these
objects work together to form the still life masterpiece that Cezanne had
intended. When we observe these objects together, we can see Cezanne’s
intention of the masterpiece. When we look at the vertical and horizontal
aspects of the painting, we receive whole different view of the artwork. The
horizontal aspect of the painting is surpressed and the table is the only
evidence of a horizontal element. The table is hidden and not very apparent to
the eye. Yet, the vertical aspect of the painting is portrayed in many
different ways. The wall is a great example of this technique. The wall is
brought close to the other objects through the severe lines drawn and the
colors used. The kneaded drapes are another part of the painting that reveal
the vertical aspect of the work. The freely flowing drapes with their
accidental folds and curves surrounding the objects on the table leave a
mental image of trees and buildings in hidden depressions of the earth. The
flask and peppermint bottle seem to rise out the drapery just like trees and
buildings rise out of the earth. Another vertical aspect that Cezanne uses is
that of the transparent glass, which allows us to see several layers of the
objects. His invention of lines as well as his abundant use of curves and
continuity of lines is another technique that is typical of Cezanne. It is
what makes the picture so interesting. Everything seems to flow together
without interruption. Cezanne creates a masterpiece by using simple techniques
that lead to an extravagant, complex production. The question we must ask
ourselves is what gave Cezanne the idea of a still life and what was his
opinion on the production of this type of artwork. “ …Still life is an
extension of our being as masters of nature, artisans, and tool users…they are
things we manipulate and owe their positions to our handling…artificial things
that are subordinate to ourselves-that serve and delight us…” (Wechsler 17).
As you can see Cezanne believed in giving the objects depicted in the still
life paintings a unique meaning. He made them go from things we use to things
we admire and respect. It is my opinion that still life paintings allow us to
look at the painting from an angle from which we normally would not see. The
peppermint bottle and flask take on a new meaning of purity and strength,
which would not be perceived in their normal form. However, by manipulating
them into the positions you want, they take on a whole new appearance, which
was the exact intent of Cezanne.
Word Count: 926
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