PAUL CÉZANNE - Mont Sainte-Victoire and the Viaduct of the Arc River Valley

THE ARTWORK

"Mont Sainte-Victoire and the Viaduct of the Arc River Valley" is a celebrated painting by Paul Cézanne, created around 1882-85. It is part of Cézanne's renowned series focusing on Mont Sainte-Victoire, a mountain near his hometown of Aix-en-Provence. This work exemplifies Cézanne's revolutionary approach to landscape painting, blending natural observation with a quest for structure and order.

The painting depicts the mountain rising majestically in the background, with a viaduct spanning the Arc River Valley in the mid-ground. Cézanne’s distinct use of layered, geometric brushstrokes creates a rhythmic composition, suggesting the solidity and permanence of the landscape. He employs a palette of earthy tones and greens, contrasted with the hazy blues of the mountain and sky, to convey depth and atmosphere.

This work marks a shift from Impressionism to a more analytical approach, making Cézanne a pivotal figure in the transition to modern art.

THE ARTIST

Paul Cézanne (1839–1906) was a revolutionary French painter often called the "father of modern art." He bridged the gap between 19th-century Impressionism and the emerging styles of the 20th century, such as Cubism and Fauvism. Born in Aix-en-Provence, Cézanne's early works were dark and expressive, influenced by Romanticism and Realism.

By the 1870s, he adopted a brighter palette and a more analytical approach under the influence of the Impressionists. However, Cézanne diverged by emphasizing structure over fleeting light effects, striving to reveal the enduring essence of objects. His meticulous, layered brushstrokes created a sense of solidity and depth, as seen in his iconic still lifes (Still Life with Apples), landscapes (Mont Sainte-Victoire series), and portraits.

Cézanne’s work explored the interplay of color, form, and perspective, often presenting multiple viewpoints within a single composition. This approach profoundly influenced artists like Picasso and Braque, laying the groundwork for Cubism. Despite initial criticism, Cézanne was posthumously celebrated as a pioneer who transformed painting into a new language of abstraction and modernity.

THE PRINT

• A4 Size = 29.7cm x 21cm = 11.7" x 8.25"
• A3 Size = 42cm x 29.7cm = 16.5" x 11.7"
• High resolution giclée print - 600dpi
• Printed to order
• Unframed & unmounted
• Professionally printed using Canon imagePROGRAF printers
• Digitally restored by OharaPrints from high resolution scans of the original artwork
• Made in and shipped from Casterton, Victoria, Australia

PAPER

• Canson Infinity - Arches BFK Rives White
• Paper weight = 310gsm
• 100% cotton
• Archival, museum grade
• Acid free
• No OBAs (optical brightening agents)

Arches BFK Rives is a high-quality, archival-grade paper manufactured at the Arches paper mill in France - one of the oldest papermakers in Europe. It is made from 100% cotton rag using a time-honoured manufacturing process, giving the paper exceptional durability, longevity, and resistance to yellowing or deterioration over time. Despite its substantial weight and thickness it maintains a very soft and supple feel. The paper has a natural white tone and is completely free of any optical brighteners (OBAs), allowing for superb colour rendition and deep blacks.

INK

• Canon Lucia Pro Inks
• Pigment based
• Archival, museum-grade
• Brilliant colours, even gradient and razor-sharp lines
• Highly stable and fade resistant, excellent humidity-fastness

SHIPPING & HANDLING

• All orders are dispatched on the NEXT BUSINESS DAY after receiving the order
• All prints are shipped via AUSTRALIA POST with TRACKING
• For postage rates and estimated delivery times please see our SHIPPING page
• All prints are shipped flat, not rolled
• Each print is individually placed into a resealable, archival grade plastic protective sleeve
• Prints are carefully packaged in very sturdy 700gsm cardboard envelopes, along with 1050gsm boxboard sheets which provide extra strength & rigidity to prevent bending or folding during transit