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The Role of Underdrawing

Paul Cézanne. L’Hermitage at Pontoise (L’Hermitage à Pontoise). 1881 Infra-red light image
Paul Cézanne
L’Hermitage at Pontoise (L’Hermitage à Pontoise). 1881
Oil on canvas, 18 5/16 x 22 1/6" (46.5 x 56 cm)
Von der Heydt-Museum Wuppertal, Germany

 
Infra-red light image. Lines applied by Cézanne to lay out the composition can be seen in numerous areas, outlining trees, houses and other features in the landscape.

 
Paul Cézanne. L’Hermitage at Pontoise (L’Hermitage à Pontoise). 1881 (detail)

Paul Cézanne. L’Hermitage at Pontoise (detail). 1881

 
Infra-red light detail
Infra-red light detail. One of the most conspicuous areas of underdrawing is in the foreground where Cézanne quickly noted the contours of the field, path and foreground grass.