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Student Artwork Guide

Chrysanthemums

Paul Cézanne, 1898

Name Class Date
Paul Cézanne, Chrysanthemums (1898). Public domain. See this canvas under a moving light: the drawing, the true colour under the varnish, the bare pigment

The facts

Artist
Paul Cézanne originaluniqueart.com/en/artists/paul-cezanne/
Artist’s dates
1839 – 1906
Painted
1898
Medium
Oil On Canvas
Movement
Post-Impressionism Artists who kept the bright colour of Impressionism but pushed shape and feeling further than the eye really sees.
Period
19th Century
Artistic style
Still life, Cubist
Influences
Monet, Seurat
Notable elements
Geometric forms
Subject or theme
Flowers, nature

Copyright This work is in the public domain. Paul Cézanne died in 1906; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it ended in 1976.

Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Oct. 4, 2026

Chrysanthemums — Paul Cézanne Part 1 · The artwork

In context

Chrysanthemums — Paul Cézanne

When was this painted?

  1. 1830
  2. 1840
  3. 1850
  4. 1860
  5. 1870
  6. 1880
  7. 1890
  8. 1900

Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span — 0 at birth, 67 at death.

Painted when the artist was 59. The artist lived to 67. 552 of the 679 dated works by this artist in our catalogue came earlier.

Shaded: the lifetime of Paul Cézanne (1839–1906) ▲ this work, 1898 every dated painting, decade by decade

First works: up to 1875 Main working years: 1875–1894 Late works: from 1894

Those three bands split the works this catalogue has a date for into a first quarter, a middle half and a last quarter. They are not the artist’s complete output: a thin stretch may be a gap in the record rather than a quiet spell. The same years with the artist’s life laid along them

Compare with

Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.

More works to set beside this one: originaluniqueart.com/en/art/similar/paul-cezanne-chrysanthemums-5ZKDME-en/

Colours

Measured from the image

    Main colour

    Walnut #733f31

    Catalogued palette

    • #733F31
    • #CEBAA4
    • #1E1B17
    • #C67333

    These colours inside the artist’s whole palette Find other paintings by colour

    Palette
    Dark The dominant colour family in the image.
    Main colour name
    Walnut
    Intensity
    Vivid How saturated and varied the colours are, from a single toned-down hue to many bright ones.
    Contrast
    Statement How much the colours differ in lightness and saturation across the picture.
    Harmony
    Balanced Harmony How well the colours work together, from clashing to fully unified.
    Brightness
    Shadow How light or dark the picture reads overall, from deep shadow to bright highlight.
    Saturation
    Clear Color Presence How pure and strong the colours are, from near-grey to fully vivid.

    Where in the world is this painting looked at?

    • under 1%
    • 1–3%
    • 3–8%
    • 8–20%
    • 20% and over
    This painting alone has too few recorded visitors to map, so the plate reads every work by Paul Cézanne over the last twelve months — 71 countries in all. Where these figures come from

    The ten leading countries

    1. 1 China 50.7%
    2. 2 United States of America 9.9%
    3. 3 Hong Kong 8.6%
    4. 4 Singapore 7.9%
    5. 5 France 5.2%
    6. 6 Italy 2.6%
    7. 7 Spain 2.5%
    8. 8 Germany 1.4%
    9. 9 Romania 1.3%
    10. 10 Brazil 1.3%
    11. · 61 other countries 8.6%

    Find the three darkest countries on the map. Is the museum that keeps this painting in any of them? Write down one reason people far away might look at it.

    The 20 most looked-at works by Paul Cézanne

    1. 1 The Card Players, 1893 2.7%
    2. 2 Large Bathers (Philadelphia), 1905 1.9%
    3. 3 The Card Players, 1892 1.8%
    4. 4 Basket of Apples, 1895 1.5%
    5. 5 Mont Sainte-Victoire (Courtauld), 1887 1.5%
    6. 6 The bay from l'estaque, 1886 1.3%
    7. 7 Cardplayers, 1893 1.1%
    8. 8 The Lac d'Annecy, 1896 0.8%
    9. 9 Curtain, Jug and Fruit, 1894 0.8%
    10. 10 Landscape with Viaduct - Mont Sainte-Victoire, 1885 0.7%
    11. 11 The Kitchen Table, 1888 0.7%
    12. 12 View of L'Estaque and Chateaux d'If, 1885 0.7%
    13. 13 Mont Sainte-Victoire (Barnes), 1892 0.6%
    14. 14 Chateau Noir, 1904 0.6%
    15. 15 Still life with apples,c.1890, eremitaget 0.6%
    16. 16 The House of Pere Lacroix in Auvers, 1873 0.6%
    17. 17 Mountains in Provence, 1890 0.6%
    18. 18 The Eternal Woman, 1877 0.5%
    19. 19 House of the Hanged Man, Auvers-sur-Oise, 1873 0.5%
    20. 426 Chrysanthemums, 1898 this painting 0.1%

    Together these works take 19.6% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 998 works by this artist, of which 767 were looked at at least once. This painting ranks 426 of them, with 0.1% of that attention. The same counts, month by month

    Bars measure attention, not quality. Pick the work at the top and this one: name one thing that might make a painting famous beyond how well it is painted.

    Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Oct. 4, 2026

    Chrysanthemums — Paul Cézanne Part 2 · In context

    About this artwork

    Chrysanthemums — Paul Cézanne

    A Still Life Transformed: Paul Cézanne’s “Chrysanthemums”

    Paul Cézanne's "Chrysanthemums," painted in 1898, isn’t merely a depiction of flowers; it’s a pivotal moment in the evolution of modern art. Within its deceptively simple composition lies a profound exploration of form, color, and the very nature of perception – a testament to Cézanne's revolutionary approach to capturing the world on canvas. Located within The Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia, this oil painting invites us into a space where the familiar becomes subtly transformed, revealing an artist deeply engaged with dismantling traditional representation.

    Cézanne’s genius lay not in replicating reality faithfully, but in distilling it down to its essential elements. He moved beyond the fleeting effects of Impressionism, seeking instead to define the underlying geometric structure of objects. In “Chrysanthemums,” this is immediately apparent. The vase itself isn't rendered as a smooth, rounded form; rather, Cézanne builds it up from interlocking planes and sharp angles, suggesting solidity and weight. The chrysanthemums, too, are fragmented and reassembled – their petals not painted with delicate brushstrokes but defined by bold, overlapping shapes that create an illusion of three-dimensionality. This deliberate simplification wasn’t a rejection of nature, but a conscious effort to reveal its inherent structure, a concept he famously described as “seeing like a stonecutter.”

    Color and Light: A Symphony of Earth Tones

    The color palette of "Chrysanthemums" is remarkably restrained yet intensely evocative. Cézanne primarily employs a range of earthy tones – ochres, browns, yellows, and reds – creating a sense of warmth and intimacy. The vibrant red of the chrysanthemums immediately draws the eye, acting as a focal point against the muted background. However, it’s not simply a burst of color; Cézanne masterfully uses variations in tone and saturation to create depth and volume. Notice how the shadows are rendered with darker browns and ochres, while the highlights are subtly infused with yellow, suggesting light filtering through the window. This careful manipulation of color isn't about mimicking reality but about conveying a specific mood – one of quiet contemplation and rustic beauty.

    A Post-Impressionist Masterpiece: Bridging Worlds

    “Chrysanthemums” firmly establishes Cézanne as a key figure in the transition from Impressionism to Cubism. While influenced by the Impressionists’ focus on capturing fleeting moments of light and color, he moved beyond their emphasis on optical accuracy. He began to explore the underlying geometric forms of objects, anticipating the abstract explorations of artists like Picasso and Braque. The painting's fragmented perspective and flattened planes foreshadow the cubist approach, where objects are deconstructed and reassembled from multiple viewpoints. It’s a crucial step in Cézanne’s artistic journey – a bridge between the subjective observation of Impressionism and the objective analysis of Cubism.

    Symbolic Resonance: Everyday Objects, Profound Meaning

    Beyond its formal innovations, “Chrysanthemums” also carries symbolic weight. Chrysanthemums themselves have long been associated with longevity, joy, and remembrance – qualities that resonate deeply within the painting’s serene atmosphere. The inclusion of simple objects like a bowl, a cup, and a chair adds to this sense of domesticity and quiet contemplation. These everyday items are elevated by Cézanne's artistic treatment, transforming them into symbols of beauty and permanence. The arrangement feels deliberately balanced, suggesting an appreciation for the harmony found in the ordinary.

    Bringing “Chrysanthemums” Home: Reproductions and Legacy

    For art enthusiasts seeking to experience the transformative power of Cézanne’s vision, Paul Cézanne: Chrysanthemums is available as a meticulously crafted handmade oil painting reproduction at AllPaintingsStore. This allows collectors to bring the beauty and intellectual depth of this iconic work into their own homes, fostering a deeper appreciation for Cézanne’s revolutionary approach to art. Alongside other celebrated works like “Table, Napkin and Fruit” and “Mont Sainte-Victoire (Barnes),” AllPaintingsStore offers a curated selection of reproductions that capture the essence of these masterpieces. Explore the collection at AllPaintingsStore to discover how you can own a piece of art history.

    Further Exploration: Delve deeper into Cézanne’s life and work by visiting resources like WikiArt (https://www.wikiart.org/en/paul-cezanne/chrysanthemums-1898) and The Barnes Foundation (https://www.barnesfoundation.org/).

    Paul Cézanne: Chrysanthemums

    Paul Gauguin: Bouquet

    Paul Cézanne: Table, Napkin and Fruit

    Paul Cézanne: Mont Sainte-Victoire (Barnes)

    AllPaintingsStore offers a wide range of handmade oil painting reproductions, including works by Paul Cézanne. Visit AllPaintingsStore.com to explore more.

    Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Oct. 4, 2026

    Chrysanthemums — Paul Cézanne Part 3 · About this artwork

    Artist and museum

    Artist

    Paul Cézanne

    Born in Aix-en-Provence, France

    The Architect of Form

    Paul Cézanne was born in Aix-en-Provence, France, into a family with deep roots in the local banking industry. His father, Louis-Auguste Cézanne, helped found the Banque Cézanne et Cabassol, providing a level of financial stability that many of his contemporaries lacked. This security allowed Paul to move away from the legal studies his father had planned for him. Though he initially studied law at the University of Aix-en-Provence, he abandoned those studies in 1860 to focus entirely on painting. His early years were spent in the company of friends like Émile Zola, and together they shared a childhood of swimming and fishing along the banks of the Arc River.

    The early works of Cézanne often carried the weight of Romanticism, utilizing dark palettes and heavy, expressive brushwork. He was influenced by the dramatic tonal contrasts found in the tradition of Eugène Delacroix. However, his approach began to shift as he moved toward Paris. He sought a way to move beyond the fleeting light captured by the Impressionists. Instead of merely recording a passing moment, he wanted to find the permanent structure within nature. He looked at a mountain or a piece of fruit and saw the underlying geometry—the cones, spheres, and cylinders that form the bones of the world.

    A New Way of Seeing

    Cézanne developed a technique characterized by small, repetitive, and constructive brushstrokes. He layered these patches of color to build up volume and texture, creating a sense of solidity. This method allowed him to explore spatial relationships without relying on traditional single-point perspective. In many of his compositions, objects appear independent within the space, often presented from multiple viewpoints at once. This rejection of classical perspective rules helped create a new pictorial language.

    His subject matter was deeply tied to his surroundings in Provence. The Mont Sainte-Victoire became a recurring presence in his work, appearing in approximately eighty different paintings and watercolors over many years. He also found profound meaning in the simplest objects. His still lifes, featuring items like apples, jars, and cups, were not mere decorations but intense studies of light, shadow, and mass. Through these works, he demonstrated how color modulation could define shape without the need for traditional shading.

    The Bathers (Les Grandes Baigneuses)

    Mont Sainte-Victoire series

    Still Life with Apples and a Pot of Primroses

    Portrait of Émile Zola

    The Card Players

    A Lasting Influence

    By the time of his death in 1906, Cézanne had fundamentally altered the direction of modern painting. His emphasis on geometric form and multiple perspectives provided a foundation for the Cubist movement. Artists such as Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque drew heavily from his analytical approach to nature. His use of bold, non-naturalistic color also left an impression on the Fauvists, including Henri Matisse. He moved art away from the imitation of reality toward a construction of visual experience based on perception and structure.

    Where to read more

    Find this online

    QR code linking to the download page for Chrysanthemums

    originaluniqueart.com/en/art/download/paul-cezanne-chrysanthemums-5ZKDME-en/

    Cite this artwork

    MLA
    Cézanne, Paul. Chrysanthemums. 1898, https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/paul-cezanne-chrysanthemums-5ZKDME-en/
    APA
    Cézanne, Paul (1898). Chrysanthemums [Painting]. https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/paul-cezanne-chrysanthemums-5ZKDME-en/
    Chicago
    Paul Cézanne. Chrysanthemums. 1898. https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/paul-cezanne-chrysanthemums-5ZKDME-en/
    Harvard
    Cézanne, Paul (1898) Chrysanthemums. Available at: https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/paul-cezanne-chrysanthemums-5ZKDME-en/

    Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Oct. 4, 2026

    Chrysanthemums — Paul Cézanne Part 4 · Artist and museum

    Look closely

    Chrysanthemums — Paul Cézanne

    Look closely

    Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.

    1. What catches your eye first, and why?
    2. Which colours or shapes create the mood — and what is that mood?
    3. Our catalogue files this work under: flowers, chrysanthemums, cézanne. Do you agree? What would you add, or take away?
    4. Look back at The Card Players (1893), earlier in this guide. Name two things it shares with this work, and one that is different.
    5. Post-Impressionism: Artists who kept the bright colour of Impressionism but pushed shape and feeling further than the eye really sees. Where can you see that in this work?

    Your response

    Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.

    Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Oct. 4, 2026

    Chrysanthemums — Paul Cézanne Part 5 · Look closely

    Art quiz

    Chrysanthemums — Paul Cézanne

    How well do you know this artwork?

    Tick one answer for each of the 5 questions below. Each has exactly one correct answer.

    1. 1. What artistic movement is Paul Cézanne primarily associated with?

      • A Impressionism
      • B Post-Impressionism
      • C Cubism

    2. 2. In 'Chrysanthemums', what is the primary focus of the composition?

      • A The background landscape
      • B The vase of chrysanthemums
      • C The table setting

    3. 3. When was 'Chrysanthemums' painted by Paul Cézanne?

      • A 1860s
      • B 1898
      • C 1920s

    4. 4. Where can you find 'Chrysanthemums'?

      • A The Louvre Museum, Paris
      • B The Barnes Foundation, Philadelphia
      • C The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

    5. 5. What does the use of geometric forms in 'Chrysanthemums' reflect about Cézanne’s artistic approach?

      • A A desire to mimic nature exactly
      • B An attempt to break down objects into their fundamental shapes
      • C A focus on capturing fleeting moments of light

    My score: ____ out of 5

    Answer key — for the teacher

    This starts a fresh printed page, so it can simply be left out of the copies.

    1A · 2A · 3A · 4A · 5A

    Check any answer against the catalogue record for this painting

    Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Oct. 4, 2026

    Chrysanthemums — Paul Cézanne Part 6 · Art quiz

    Questions & Answers

    Where does "Chrysanthemums" stand among Paul Cézanne's recurring subjects?

    Among Paul Cézanne's recorded themes - gauguin, seurat, geometric forms, color theory, transition to cubism, exploration of form & space, series paintings, everyday objects - "Chrysanthemums" brings its own focus on flowers, chrysanthemums, cézanne, still life, painting, composition, color palette, postimpressionism.

    How intense are the colors in "Chrysanthemums" by Paul Cézanne?

    "Chrysanthemums" by Paul Cézanne shows a vivid color intensity.

    What was Paul Cézanne's age when "Chrysanthemums" was created?

    When "Chrysanthemums" was created in 1898, Paul Cézanne - born in 1839 - was 59 years old.