Paul Cezanne, Geraniums, 1888/1890, watercolor over graphite on laid paper, Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Mellon, National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Title: Geraniums, 1888/1890
Artist: Paul Cezanne (1839-1906)
Celebrating Paul Cezanne’s Birthday Today!
Why do I love Geraniums above by French master Paul Cezanne? For do you actually see the flowers themselves? Or am I missing their familiar red petals? A common sight on a hot summer afternoon, decorating nearly every house or yard, often in solid orange colored pots.
Yet, here, the leaves, cascading across the picture space, possess their own unique beauty which I have tended to overlook. Is it their shades of vibrant green and distinctive, individual shapes? Their movement too, almost hypnotic, in overall effect, beckoning me to pause, instead of walking by. But perhaps, above all, I can thank Cezanne for enabling me to look through his eyes at a wonder of nature he has recreated and interpreted with his exquisite sense of perfection.
In the public domain, courtesy of the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
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