Basket 1877 - 1900

Paul Cézanne made this study of a basket, rendered in pencil on paper, during the late 19th or early 20th century in France. Though seemingly simple, the sketch speaks volumes about the changing role of the artist within a rapidly modernizing society. Consider that the rise of Impressionism, of which Cézanne was a key figure, coincided with the growth of a commercial art market, one sustained by private galleries and independent critics rather than state-sponsored academies. In this environment, artists like Cézanne were freer to experiment with new styles and subject matter. Sketches like this one, therefore, become significant documents of artistic exploration. Cézanne's focus on everyday objects, like this basket, signals a move away from traditional, idealized subjects. By studying the nuances of form and light in the mundane, Cézanne was challenging the established hierarchy of artistic value. To fully appreciate this shift, we can consult period publications, exhibition reviews, and the artist's own correspondence, all of which help us to understand the complex social forces that shaped Cézanne's artistic vision.