Clearing 1867

Paul Cézanne made this oil painting, Clearing, with brushes and paint on canvas, using traditional materials and techniques. The materiality of paint is central to Cézanne’s artistic project. Up close, the marks of the brush are readily apparent. Look at the density of the paint application, the way each stroke is laid down, and the conscious effort to build form through color. These brushstrokes aren't just about representation. Instead, they are structural elements in their own right. Cézanne was working during a time of immense industrial production, yet he deliberately chose a method that emphasized the hand. It’s a mark of the intense labor required to produce each painting, reflective of the broader social and economic shifts occurring during his lifetime. Considering the materials, making, and context, we can appreciate how Cézanne challenged the traditional distinctions between observation, craft and fine art.