PHILA., Pa. – During a recent paper conservation treatment, the Barnes Foundation discovered two unfinished sketches – one graphite and one watercolor – on the reverse sides of two watercolors by Cézanne, which depict the landscape of southern France: The Chaine de l’Etoile Mountains (BF650) and Trees (BF655), normally on view in room 20 of the Collection Gallery.
The discovery marks the first time these sketches have been seen since at least the early 20th century, most likely prior to Dr. Albert Barnes’s purchase of the works from Leo Stein in 1921. These sketches provide a glimpse behind Cezanne’s artistic process and their discovery highlights the importance of conservation efforts and dedicated collection stewardship.
To allow students and visitors the opportunity to view these sketches, they will be displayed in double-sided frames, with both sides visible, from April 10 through May 18 in the second floor classroom of the Barnes Foundation. Following their display to the public, the watercolors will be returned to their original locations.
It was not uncommon for Cezanne to work on both sides of the paper in his sketchbooks and on larger, individual sheets such as these, and over the course of his career he produced thousands of drawings, some of which were done in preparation for oil paintings, but most often they were a place to experiment with line and color.
“These sketches offer a window into Cezanne’s artistic process, which is truly invaluable,” said Barbara Buckley, senior director of conservation and chief conservator of paintings at the Barnes Foundation.
“Barnes bought The Chaine de l’Etoile Mountains (BF650) and Trees (BF655) from Leo Stein, the American collector who, along with his sister, Gertrude, had assembled one of the world’s most important collections of modern European art,” said Martha Lucy, assistant professor at Drexel University and consulting curator at the Barnes Foundation. “What Barnes probably didn’t know was that in purchasing these two watercolors from Stein, he had actually acquired four works by Cézanne.”
The Barnes Foundation’s collection holds 365 works on paper comprised of primarily American and European works from the late 19th to early 20th century. The IMLS Museums for America Program grant that funded the discovery of these new sketches, provided for the conservation treatment of 22 watercolors and pastels on paper including five works by Paul Cézanne, five by Pablo Picasso, nine by Paul Klee, two by Edgar Degas, and one by Pierre-Auguste Renoir. The conservation included mending tears, stabilizing supports, rehousing the works with archival quality materials, and providing ultraviolet-light filtering protection.