Guy Pierre Fauconnet (French, 1882-1920), Hommage à Paul Cézanne

Oil on canvas, 1904, inscribed "Fauconnet August 04" to the original stretcher, framed.

Stretcher size 21 3/4 x 18 1/4 in.; Frame dimensions 30 x 26 3/4 in.

Guy-Pierre Fauconnet was a French painter, illustrator, and scenographer known for his innovative contributions to early 20th-century French theater and visual arts. He was admired for his draftsmanship by contemporaries such as André Dunoyer de Segonzac, Roger de La Fresnaye, and André Lhote.

Fauconnet moved to Paris in 1892, when his father became the chief stenographer of the French Senate. He studied at the École de Peinture Camille Julian and began exhibiting his works at the Salon des Artistes Français and the Salon des Indépendants between 1902 and 1914. In 1917, Fauconnet became deeply involved in theatrical productions, designing sets, costumes, and masks. He worked on productions like Le Roman de Renart, Le Dit des Jeux du Monde, and Le Bœuf sur le Toit. Unfortunately, Fauconnet passed away before many of these productions were completed.

This portrait of Paul Cézanne, which is dated two years before the sitter's death, is emblematic of Cézanne’s generosity to the many young artists who made the pilgrimage to visit him in Aix-en-Provence.

Flaking to the upper and lower canvas edges with light associated retouch, small patch to verso with associated retouch.