The post-impressionist painter, Paul Cézanne and writer Émile Zola were childhood friends but a novel by Zola triggered the falling out of their lifelong friendship.
Paul Cézanne and Émile Zola shared a deep friendship that began in their childhood in Aix-en-Provence, France. They first met in school and developed a strong bond over their shared love for literature and art. Cezanne fought in the schoolyard to protect his friend Emile Zola, and one day Zola thanked him with a basket of apples. The moment had a great impact on Cezanne, and the apple would become his favored subject.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art (http://www.metmuseum.org)
They moved to Paris to pursue their artistic ambitions. Zola became a prominent figure in the literary world, while Cézanne started to make a name for himself in the art scene. The breaking point in their friendship is often attributed to Zola’s novel “L’Œuvre” (The Masterpiece). The novel tells the story of an artist, loosely based on Cézanne, who struggles with his art and ultimately fails to gain recognition. Cézanne felt betrayed by Zola’s portrayal, as he saw it as a personal attack on his art and character. The novel strained their relationship, leading to a falling out between the two friends. Whether this was a misunderstanding or if Zola intentionally wrote it with Cézanne in mind is not entirely clear, but regardless, this marked the end of their 30-year friendship.
Below is the last letter Cezanne sent to Zola.
I have just received L’Oeuvre (The Masterpiece) you were kind enough to send me. I thank the author of the Rougon-Macquart for this kind token of remembrance, and ask him to allow me to shake his hand thinking of years gone by. Tout-a-toi (All yours) With the feeling of time passing, Paul Cezzane.
Find out more on the lifelong friendship between Paul Cezanne and Emile Zola in Cézanne et moi.
