The Turn in the Road at Auvers 1873

Paul Cézanne, a French artist, painted The Turn in the Road at Auvers using oil on canvas. Cézanne painted during a time when the rules of the Parisian Salons were starting to loosen, allowing more artists to depict everyday life. As you look at the painting, consider Cézanne's position as a member of the bourgeoisie painting the French countryside. The location, Auvers-sur-Oise, was not far from Paris, and was home to many artists. The houses are modest; this isn’t a scene of wealthy country estates. The road is the main subject, and our eyes follow its path as it winds through the landscape. There's a quiet intimacy in Cézanne's work, a feeling of being present in a specific time and place. Cézanne was quoted as saying "Painting from nature is not copying the object; it is realizing one's sensations." This painting is a reflection not just of a place, but of the artist’s personal experience and perception.