Head of the Artist’s Son 1888 - 1889

This sketch, Head of the Artist’s Son, was made by Paul Cézanne, though the exact date remains unknown. Cézanne’s art was formed in the crucible of 19th-century France, an era marked by political upheaval and shifting social norms. In this tender yet fleeting sketch, the identity of the artist intertwines with his familial role. Is this exploration a father's intimate gaze or an artist's detached study of form? Here the personal and the aesthetic blur, questioning traditional representations of both family and portraiture. The vulnerability of childhood is palpable in the soft lines and the unfinished quality of the sketch, which invites reflection on the complexities of familial bonds. Ultimately, this drawing becomes more than a mere depiction; it shapes our understanding of connection, identity, and the subtle dance between artist and subject.