Still Life with Skull
c. 1898-1900 Staatsgalerie Stuttgart
About this artwork
This oil painting depicts a human skull and a candlestick on a flat surface, rendered with Cézanne's characteristic textured brushstrokes against a muted, dark background. It is a work from his later period, reflecting his ongoing exploration of form and composition.
Did you know?
Cézanne frequently included skulls in his still lifes during his later years, a practice often interpreted as a meditation on mortality, a theme known as 'vanitas'. These works also allowed him to rigorously study the geometric forms and underlying structure of objects, breaking them down into their essential planes. This analytical approach to form profoundly influenced the development of Cubism, cementing his legacy as a bridge between Impressionism and the art of the 20th century.
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Still Life with Skull
Paul Cezanne, c. 1898-1900
