Born Aix-en-Provence, France, in 1839, Cézanne is one of the central influences of 20th century art, particularly for the Fauves, Cubists and early principles of abstract art. He worked with colour to create form, not representation, for example there are no people, animals or birds illustrating Cézanne’s landscapes. Even though he is usually regarded as the leading painter of late nineteenth century France, he spent most of his working life in Provence, mainly in the solitude of the family home, living on an independent fortune. His subject matter was simple: portraits, still life and landscapes, and his goal was to reduce the complexity of nature to a formal union of lines and planes. Died Aix-en-Province 1906.
