An artwork on Galleree from The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About the artwork
Madame Cézanne (Hortense Fiquet, 1850–1922) in a Red DressPaul Cézanne
French, Aix-en-Provence 1839–1906 Aix-en-Provence
1888–90
45 7/8 × 35 1/4 in. (116.5 × 89.5 cm)
Painting
Oil on canvas
European Paintings
The Mr. and Mrs. Henry Ittleson Jr. Purchase Fund, 1962
In Paul Cézanne's "Madame Cézanne (Hortense Fiquet) in a Red Dress," we find ourselves drawn into a quiet moment of contemplation. The subject, Hortense Fiquet, Cézanne's partner, sits with a gentle poise that suggests both strength and vulnerability. The vibrant red of her dress contrasts beautifully with the cooler tones of the background, creating a visual harmony that captivates the viewer's eye.
Cézanne's brushwork is distinctive here; the strokes are both deliberate and expressive, imbuing the painting with a sense of life. The way he captures light and shadow gives depth to her features, revealing a woman who is not merely a subject but a part of Cézanne's inner world. The soft lines and the subtle blending of colors invite us to ponder her thoughts and feelings.
The patterned fabric behind her adds layers to the composition, suggesting comfort but also the complexities of their relationship. This artwork invites us to reflect on the nature of intimacy and the ways we present ourselves to the world. In this serene setting, we witness a moment frozen in time, filled with both tranquility and the unspoken stories of a life lived together.
About the artist
The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) presents over 5,000 years of art from around the world for everyone to experience and enjoy. The Museum lives in two iconic sites in New York City—The Met Fifth Avenue and The Met Cloisters. Millions of people also take part in The Met experience online.Since its founding in 1870, The Met has always aspired to be more than a treasury of rare and beautiful objects. Every day, art comes alive in the Museum's galleries and through its exhibitions and events, revealing new ideas and unexpected connections across time and across cultures.The artworks shared on this platform are sourced from The Met's Open Access dataset under the CC0 license. No endorsement is implied.Address: 1000 Fifth Avenue New York, NY, USA 10028
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