Paul Cézanne

Ah, Paul Cézanne, the "Father of Modern Art," a man whose artistic vision was as revolutionary as his social graces were, shall we say, rustic. This Post-Impressionist master is celebrated for bridging the gap between Impressionism and Cubism. He had a thing for apples, possibly stemming from a childhood gift from his friend Émile Zola after Cézanne defended him in a schoolyard brawl. Known for his shy and difficult character, Cézanne was not one for pleasantries. Rumor has it he once refused to shake Édouard Manet's hand, declaring, "I haven't washed in eight days." Another tale claims he would toss paintings he was dissatisfied with out the window, leaving them to hang on olive trees. While these stories may be embellished, they paint a picture of a man intensely focused on his art, a man who once vowed to "die painting," a promise he essentially fulfilled.