Still Life, Flask, Glass, and Jug, 1877 (oil on canvas), by Paul Cezanne, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York
Monday, April 24, 2023
7:30 PM
Matisse and Picasso both claimed that Cezanne was “the father of us all,” and indeed, he stands at the inflection point, the cusp, between traditional, realistic art and 20th century abstraction. Solitary, antisocial, mistrustful, Cezanne could only realize his distinctive style in the solitude of his native Provence. The resulting style is as complex as 3D chess; Cezanne’s canvases must be filtered through the intellect to apprehend. For instance, at the same time that his paintings contain explosive oppositional forces, recurring echoes of color or line or shape create loving embraces that stretch across the canvas. In contrast to Van Gogh’s psychological power, Cezanne’s art is cold, aloof, detached: in his landscapes we find none of the solace of nature, in his people, no invitation to friendship, in his still lives, no appeal to appetite. But we do find genius.
About Linda Blair:
Linda Blair has taught art history for many years, at the La Jolla Athenaeum and UC San Diego Osher; she was a docent at The Cloisters. She holds a BA from Mills College and an MA from USD. She is an active volunteer at UC San Diego, dedicated to raising scholarship funds.
The lecture will be in person at the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library. There are no physical tickets for this event. Your name will be on an attendee list at the front door. Doors open at 7 p.m. Seating is first-come; first-served. This event will be presented in compliance with State of California and County of San Diego health regulations as applicable at the time of the lecture.
Masks optional. If you have a fever, cough, or flu-like symptoms, please stay home.