Two New Exhibitions at Musée Granet Works by Cézanne and Tal

‘Cézanne at Home’ and a retrospective of the painter Tal Coat have recently opened at the Musée Granet, both worth a visit.

‘No painting by Cézanne will ever enter this museum’, proclaimed Henri Pontier who was curator in 1900. His attitude is made even worse by the fact that, during his time in charge, the painter’s son and wife were selling his works for modest sums after his death.  Aix could have had a fabulous collection.

This Cézanne exhibition at the Musée Granet, which runs until April 1, 2018.

Who was Paul Cézanne?

Paul Cézanne is a 19th-century painter. He was born, lived and died in Aix-en-Provence. Cézanne is, therefore, THE emblematic figure of the city. You can also see his statue next to the “Place de la Rotonde” in the city centre. Cézanne was part of the impressionist movement for a period. Pablo Picasso said of Cézanne: “He was the father of all of us.” Cézanne has even been called a precursor of cubism and, indeed, influenced the painters of his generation.

Learn more about the fountains of Aix-en-Provence, the “City of Water.”

Paul Cézanne’s Family

Cézanne is the son of a bourgeois family. His father was a banker, and he wanted Paul to take over. But Cézanne, despite studying law, chose the arts. In 1869, Cézanne met Hortense, who would become his wife. Their son, Paul (like him), was born in 1872 in Paris. The mother is aware of the birth of her grandson. His father will find out later. Cézanne married Hortense in 1886. His father died the same year.

A Visit to Paul Cezanne’s Studio