Victor Chocquet and an Angel for ‘The Apotheosis of Delacroix’ (1878-1880)

This evocative artwork by Paul Cézanne, titled "Victor Chocquet and an Angel for ‘The Apotheosis of Delacroix’" (1878-1880), illustrates the high esteem Cézanne held for fellow artist Eugène Delacroix, offering a creative vision that intertwines reality with celestial wonder. The drawing, part of the preparatory work for a larger, homage-driven piece, flutters with loose brushstrokes that conjure a sense of motion and transformative energy. It features Victor Chocquet, a noted art collector and fervent supporter of both Cézanne and Delacroix, alongside an angel, both depicted in a fluid, almost ethereal form.To the left, Victor Chocquet is shown in a reclining pose, rendered with delicate, sweeping lines that convey a gentle, drifting motion, as if he is being guided or lifted by unseen forces. His features, softened by Cézanne’s light touch with the brush, accentuate his peaceful demeanor. To the right, the angel, a figure of grace and dynamism, is portrayed with darker, more intense strokes, creating a vivid contrast to Chocquet’s calmness. The angel's pose suggests movement and support, a symbolic guardian elevating Chocquet towards a higher realm.This sketch not only highlights the emotional and spiritual connections between the artists and their muses but also encapsulates the essence of friendship and mutual respect that linked these figures in the art world.