Study of Puget’s ‘Hercules Resting’ (c. 1879)
Technique: Giclée quality print
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More about this artwork
Explore a captivating piece by Paul Cézanne titled "Study of Puget’s ‘Hercules Resting’", a pencil sketch created around 1879 that showcases Cézanne’s deftness and subtlety with graphite. This artwork serves as a study of a sculpture by the renowned sculptor Pierre Puget, depicting the mighty Hercules in a moment of repose.In this sketch, Cézanne captures the powerful form of Hercules from behind, emphasizing the muscular curvature of his back, shoulders, and arms. The hero is seated, leaned slightly forward with his massive back turned towards the viewer, suggesting a moment of introspection or fatigue after his legendary labors. The rough, expressive lines stimulate a sense of immediacy and the unfinished look of the sketch adds a raw, intimate quality to the work. It divulges the artist’s process of observing and deconstructing the dynamic forms and robust anatomy of the classical subject.This drawing not only highlights Cézanne's interest in human form and classical themes but also gives us insight into his artistic process, studying the works of past masters to refine his own techniques.