Self-portrait 1875

This is Paul Cézanne’s self-portrait, an oil on canvas, which resides at the Musée d'Orsay. Cézanne painted this at a time of great social change in France. The rise of the industrial era, coupled with political instability, deeply affected artists. Cézanne, who once said “Painting from nature is not copying the object; it is realizing one’s sensations,” presents us with an intimate, though perhaps not entirely revealing, glimpse into his inner world. Notice the intensity in his gaze, a piercing look that challenges us. The dark beard and coat contrast with the light on his forehead, drawing our attention to his intellectual presence. What do you think about the way Cézanne represents himself, particularly in the context of a rapidly modernizing world? Does he present himself as a traditional artist, or does he offer a new vision of what it means to be an artist in his time? This portrait encapsulates the tension between tradition and change, reflecting the artist's internal struggle with his identity and his place in the world.