The Artist's Son Writing c. 1887

Paul Cézanne made this sketch of his son writing using graphite on paper. Observe how the composition is dominated by the figure's head and shoulders, leaning heavily over the act of writing. The drawing is not about capturing a likeness but instead focuses on form and structure. Cézanne uses hatching, building up tone with closely spaced parallel lines to describe the shape and volume of the head. This technique, more than anything, shows Cézanne’s interest in the underlying geometry of forms, breaking down the subject into its most basic components. Note the contrast between the densely worked areas defining the head and arms, versus the lighter, more suggestive lines indicating the clothing and the writing surface. This contrast invites us to contemplate the act of representation itself. Cézanne doesn't offer us a complete picture, but rather a study in how to construct form through line and tone. The sketch is an exercise in seeing and recording, emphasizing the process of perception over the final image.