To understand how Cézanne’s 1902-1906 period influenced Cubism and better grasp the significance of this period’s stylistic shift, it is necessary to have a basic understanding of cubist principles and history in contrast to Classical tenets. Unfortunately, however, Cubism is a fiendishly difficult theory to define simply because, as Henry Kahnweiler puts it, “No one has really explained the theory for the simple reason that there was no theory” (qtd. Karmel, 10). Nevertheless, Cubism relies on breaking an object up into its component forms and displaying them on the canvas in such a way that captures a multi-faceted view of that object. Breaking up the object into its component forms gives emphasis to the form of the objects. As Picasso noted, “Cubism is…an art dealing primarily with forms, and when a form is realized it is there to live its own life” (qtd. Fry, 167). Color enhances that effect and Cézanne developed the method involved in employing color for cubism. Early cubism employed stark contrasts between different colored forms. While the shades were often similar, like red against dark orange, as can be seen in Picasso’s Three Women (1908), there was no blending between them. Picasso did not separate the colors by a distinct black line, as Matisse did, rather the sudden color jump created by the lack of blending provided the border between the components. This same phenomenon can be seen Cézanne’s paintings as he rarely blended his blocked colors late in his life. The effect that this method creates is that the forms are essentially characterized by color; the color gives each form definition and identity. Color, stark color without the shading or the small variations in hue seen in chiaroscuro modeling, creates volume and form. The method would eventually garner the name “modeling by color” from art historian Edward Fry (Fry, 15). This new non-chiaroscuro color modeling method is a direct hallmark of Cézanne’s late period Mount Saint-Victoire series.
Picasso, P. Three Women, 1908, oil on canvas. The Heritage Museum, St. Petersburg.