Between Aix and Paris, in search of the absolute...

The early years
	Paul Cezanne was born in Aix on 19 January 1839. His father, a future banker, rana hat shop where trade was flourishing. With his sister Marie, born in 1841, he frequented the primary school on the rue des Epinaux. At the age of 10 he was enrolled at the Saint Joseph boarding school.

Three years later, in 1852, the young scholar followed the classes of the Bourbon college (the present Mignet college) as a day student. There he met Emile Zola and Baptistin Baille. During the holidays, these inseparable friends roamed the Aixois countryside. All three read poetry voraciously and experienced the intense sensations of being at one with nature.

In 1858, Zola’s departure shook Cezanne. A long period of correspondence began. In 1859, after passing his baccalaureate, he enrolled at the law faculty in accordance with his father's wishes, and at the same time he took courses at the local art school. Cezanne continued with his studies against his will, with painting playing an increasingly important role in his life.

In 1861 he arrived in Paris, failed the entrance examination to the Ecole des Beaux Arts (fine arts), and returned to Aix to work in his father’s bank.

Although his father had been against the idea of his son becoming a painter, he ended up agreeing to this vocation and gave him an allowance. In the years that followed Cézanne spent most of his time between Paris and Aix, punctuated by stays at L'Estaque. He worked at the Swiss Academy where he joined up with Pissaro, Monet and Renoir. He met Hortense Fiquet who became his companion, and by whom he had a son, Paul.

From 1863 to 1880, his canvases were systematically refused by the jury of the Salon. He soon gave up submitting his works to the opinion of official "masters" of art.

Provencal retreat: Sainte Victoire and the Baigneuses
On 28 April 1886, Cézanne married Hortense Fiquet after 17 years of life together. In October, his father died. Cézanne lived in Provence from then on, and his reputation grew steadily. He systematically explored and painted the Aixois countryside.He rented a small house in Bibémus and attempted to purchase the Château Noir, in vain.

Following the death of his mother and the sale of the Jas de Bouffan in 1899, he settled on the Rue Boulegon. From 1902 onward, he worked in his studio in the Chemin des Lauves. Young artists such as Emile Bernard came to him. He continued working steadily. On 15 October 1906, overtaken by a thunderstorm while painting from nature, he was struck by congestion. He was taken home and died on 23 October at the age of 67.

About Cezanne 2006