Color Quotes by Paul Cézanne

Post-Impressionist French painter Paul Cézanne is best known for his incredibly varied painting style, which greatly influenced 20th-century abstract art. Paul Cézanne quotes give a glimpse into his thoughts on color.

The work of Post-Impressionist French painter Paul Cézanne formed the bridge between late 19th century Impressionism and early 20th century Cubism. His mastery of design, tone, composition, and color in his work is characteristic and recognizable around the world. Cézanne greatly influenced both Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso.

Cézanne's paintings established new paradigms for the development of modern art. Working slowly and patiently, Cézanne transformed the restless power of his earlier years into a pictorial language that would go on to impact nearly every phase of 20th-century art.

Cézanne simultaneously achieved flatness and spatiality through his use of color. By calling attention to a painting's flatness, he was able to abstract space and volume for the viewer. This characteristic of Cézanne's work is seen as a pivotal step leading up to the abstract art of the 20th century.(excerpted from biography.com)

Paul Cézanne Quotes About Color

Shadow is a colour as light is, but less brilliant; light and shadow are only the relation of two tones.


When The sun is so terrific here that is seems to me as if the objects were silhouetted not only in black and white, but in blue, red, brown and violet. I may be mistaken, but this seems to me to be the opposite of modeling.


When the color achieves richness, the form attains its fullness also.


There is no model; there is only color.


There is a logic of colors, and it is with this alone, and not with the logic of the brain, that the painter should conform.


I lack the magnificent richness of color that animates nature.


"I lack the magnificent richness of color that animates nature."-- Paul Cézanne #color #quotes

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Nature is more depth than surface. Hence the need to introduce into our light vibrations represented by the reds and yellows, a sufficient amount of blue to give the impression of air.


His is the greatest palette of France and no one beneath our skies possessed to a greater extent than he both the serene and the pathetic, the vibration of color. We all paint through him.


Feature Image Credit: Paul Cézanne [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

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Kate Smith
Kate Smith is an optimistic, expressive, artist, designer, writer and color fanatic. With her warm and witty style, Kate teaches you to clearly see, understand and be inspired by color. Then she guides you step-by-step to develop your own unique color sense-ability and achieve results you never dreamed possible.
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