Description: Cezanne Paul

Extremely Rare Paul Cézanne 2pp ALS

2pp ALS inscribed overall and signed by French Post-Impressionist painter Paul Cézanne (1839-1906) as "Paul Cézanne" near the top of the second page. Written in Paris, France on November 30, 1896. Displayed to the right of a color reproduction of Cézanne's Self-Portrait (1877-1880), currently at the Musée d'Orsay. Matted and framed behind Plexiglas within a double-sided frame permitting a full view of the reverse side of the letter. In an antiqued gilt frame with charcoal matting. Not examined out of frame. Isolated repairs to the central horizontal crease, and infilling of the lower left corner. Else near fine. The document sight size is 5.125" x 8.5" while the overall frame size is 16.375" x 15" x .75".

Translated in full below. Paragraphs breaks have been added for improved legibility.

"Paris, November 30, 1896



My dear Solari,



I am really sorry that I wasn't at the Rue des Dames when you came by. There is only one way to make up for that, and that is to schedule a rendezvous, for tomorrow for example. -- A well-determined place, a very precise hour, which I will leave up to you.

I am free after 4 pm -- a small word thus I beg you, and believe me very cordially yours,

"Paul Cézanne."

Cézanne spent most of his time in his hometown Aix-en-Provence during the 1890s, though he still made frequent journeys to Paris where his wife Hortense and son Paul, Jr. lived. This letter dates from Cézanne's later life, when his mental health and the quality of his interpersonal relationships were negatively affected by the onset of diabetes. He often spent long periods wandering through the Provençal landscape, becoming increasingly reclusive.

Three important events happened the year before, in 1895. In that year, Cézanne visited the Bibémus Quarries and climbed Mont Sainte Victoire; these two locations would reappear in many of his most influential artistic works. The labyrinthine quality of the quarries, with its geometric shapes, inspired an embryonic Cubist style. Mont Sainte Victoire's asymmetrical silhouette captivated him so much that he created a series featuring the mountain.

Also in that year, intrepid art dealer Ambrose Vollard visited Cézanne to arrange for the artist's first solo exhibition at his gallery in Paris. The following summer, Cézanne stayed at the health resort at Talloires on Lake Annecy. Here he painted Lake Annecy, one of his best landscapes outside of Provence. He rented a studio in the Aixois suburbs where he contentedly painted in seclusion.

Cézanne's correspondent was Emile Solari (1873-1961), the son of Cézanne's friend Philippe Solari (1840-1906), a sculptor. Cézanne, Emile Zola, and Philippe Solari had known each other since childhood. Emile Zola was the godfather of Emile Solari, who, like his guardian, also became a novelist.

The Rue des Dames in the Batignolles area of Paris used to lead to L'Abbaye des Dames. It was filled with cafes and restaurants frequented by Cézanne's fellow artists.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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