Paul Cézanne

(Aix-en-Provence 1839 - 1906 Aix-en-Provence)

Cézanne goes to school in Aix, where he becomes friends with Émile Zola. Beginning in 1858, he attends drawing classes at the museum in Aix; from 1859 until 1861, he also studies law at the local university. Living in Paris for several months in 1861—it is his first stay in the capital—he produces studies after models at the Académie Suisse. He meets Camille Pissarro, with whom he works side by side. He participates in the Salon des Refusés in 1863 and the first Impressionist exhibition in 1874. After several extended stays in L’Estaque, Pontoise, and Auvers, he returns to Aix in 1882. In 1886, he breaks off his friendship with Zola. In 1895, Ambroise Vollard mounts the first major exhibition of Cézanne’s work. He participates in the Salon des Indépendants in 1899 and has a special exhibition at the Salon d’Automne in 1904.