A Mysterious Cézanne Work Is Discovered in the Artist’s Childhood Home
A new work believed to be by the French painter Paul Cézanne has been founded on the walls of his childhood home during renovations.
New Cézanne Work Discovered in Childhood Home
Officials have announced the discovery of a new work believed to be by the French painter Paul Cézanne. The piece, measuring about 64 square feet, was found on the walls of Cézanne's childhood home during renovations. It was not included in the 1996 catalogue raisonné by art historian John Rewald.
French senator and mayor Sophie Joissains shared the news on social media after a conference attended by Philippe Cézanne, the painter's great-grandson, and experts on the artist. The piece was found under wallpaper and plaster in the house's main living room. Sophie Joissains called Cézanne 'the emblem and ambassador' of the town and announced plans to celebrate the restoration of the home in 2025.
Details of the Newly Discovered Work
The newly discovered work depicts a maritime scene with ship masts pointing into the sky and banners on a ship. The piece was found in the 'Grand Salon' of the Bastide du Jas de Bouffan, the childhood home of Cézanne. The home, purchased by Cézanne's father in 1859, sits on a 12.3-acre property. The discovery of this unknown treasure adds to the depth of Cézanne's artistic legacy.
Aix Ma Ville, the social media page for the town, celebrated the find as it previously did not hold any paintings by the famed artist. Nine other paintings were already known to have been painted by Cézanne on the walls of the home, but this new discovery was not included in those known works. The previously known paintings have been transferred to canvases and are now dispersed in museums worldwide.
Future Plans and Catalogue Raisonné
The town of Aix-en-Provence plans to celebrate the restoration of the childhood home with the Société Paul Cézanne in 2025. This will allow the public to experience the place enriched by the updating of Cézanne's early paintings from 1859 and the display of his most famous painting, The Card Players.
When asked about further discoveries, Société Paul Cézanne president Denis Coutagne stated that they have thoroughly checked the home and do not expect to find anything else. The new work will soon be added to the 1996 catalogue raisonné online, expanding the knowledge of Cézanne's body of work.
