Unique Perspectives

1962 Emerging Infectious Diseases • www.cdc.gov/eid • Vol. 20, No. 11, November 2014 P Cezanne was a visionary who bridged 19th century impressionism with 20th century cubism and other modern styles. Born in Aix-en-Provence, France, into the family of a successful banker, Cezanne had a comfortable childhood, culminating in studies at the College Bourbon. There he met lifelong friends with Emile Zola and Baptistin Baille, who would become prominent scholars in writing and acoustics, respectively. Cezanne enrolled in the Free Municipal School of Drawing in Aix-en-Provence, but his father pressured him to enter law school to focus on more “practical” pursuits. Cezanne continued taking drawing lessons. Defying his father’s wishes, he moved to Paris in 1861 to join Zola and pursue becoming an artist. His father eventually softened to Cezanne’s career choice and granted him a large inheritance that freed Cezanne from financial uncertainty. Cezanne focused his early art on the whimsical landscapes of his childhood. As his style matured, he became captivated with defining paintings by simple shapes, exceptional Paul Cézanne 1839–1906, Still Life with Apples (detail). 1893–1894, Oil on canvas, 65.4 x 81.6 cm (25 3/4 x 32 1/8 in.) Digital image courtesy of the Getty’s Open Content Program, The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles, CA.