Flowers and Fruit 1880

Here we have Paul Cézanne's "Flowers and Fruit," an oil painting that exemplifies his unique approach to still life. Cézanne, who lived between 1839 and 1906, worked during a time of enormous social change, and his art was influenced by the shift from traditional to modern society. In a world where artistic expression was increasingly democratized, Cézanne challenged conventional aesthetics. This work, with its seemingly simple arrangement, actually disrupts traditional representations by playing with perspective and form. It reflects Cézanne’s own struggle to find harmony and order in a rapidly changing society. His still lifes explore personal experiences, transforming everyday objects into profound meditations on perception, memory, and existence. His radical way of seeing reminds us to embrace the imperfect. It echoes a sentiment Cézanne once shared: "Painting from nature is not copying the object; it is realizing one's sensations."