Études de têtes c. 1886 - 1887

Paul Cézanne sketched these "Études de têtes" with graphite on paper, leaving us with more than mere portraits. Look closely at the face, cast downward, eyes shut; it embodies a symbolic gesture that transcends time. Consider the iconography of closed eyes. Through the ages, this motif has signified sleep, death, inward reflection, and even divine revelation. Think of the countless depictions of sleeping figures in classical art. This representation mirrors the cyclical nature of existence, a regression to a primal, unconscious state. These drawings evoke a deep sense of introspection. They allow us to connect on a visceral level with the emotional undertones embedded within the simple human form. It is like a visual echo, reverberating through the corridors of art history. They are more than just sketches; they are a portal to the eternal dance between consciousness and oblivion.