Cezanne's Battle with Critics: From Rejection to Recognition as First Modern Master

Paul Cezanne, often hailed as the pioneering modern artist, endured years of critical dismissal. At the age of 56, he held his first retrospective at Galerie Vollard in November 1895, with Thadée Natanson remarking on the lack of public knowledge about him. His submissions to the Salon were rejected from 1863 to 1870. In 1866, he corresponded with comte de Nieuwerkerke, dismissing the opinions of his peers. Although Émile Zola dedicated his Salon to Cezanne, he failed to mention the artist's work. Cezanne participated in the inaugural and third Impressionist exhibitions in 1874 and 1877, where he faced ridicule. His artistic style evolved in the 1880s, and his stature rose following the 1899 sale of Victor Chocquet's collection. He received posthumous recognition at the 1907 Salon d'Automne. The exhibition 'Cezanne et nous' is scheduled to take place at the Grand Palais in Paris from September 23, 2026, to January 17, 2027.