Study of Houses (1879-1882)

Paul Cézanne's "Study of Houses," created between 1879 and 1882, is a fascinating piece that captures the essence of his sketching style during these years. This pencil drawing, characterized by its light and fluid strokes, showcases Cézanne’s ability to convey depth and architectural form with minimalistic detail.In the sketch, we see a series of houses, possibly rural or semi-rural, depicted with vertical and horizontal lines that suggest the basic outlines of buildings. The composition is airy, with the sky and possibly distant mountains sketched above, which adds a sense of openness and height to the scene. Each building is rendered uniquely, with individual windows appearing as darker rectangles amidst the lighter strokes of the façades.The drawing is freestyle and seems almost incomplete, giving it a raw, spontaneous feel that invites viewers to fill in the blanks with their imagination. This way of sketching not only provides a glimpse into Cézanne’s study methods, developing perspectives and proportions, but also highlights his transition from the more rigid and detailed to a more expressive, impressionistic approach in his later works."Study of Houses" stands as a beautiful example of Cézanne's skill in using sketches as groundwork for his compositions, reflecting the continuous exploration of forms and space that defines much of his oeuvre.