Paul Cézanne
" The Boy in the Red Vest"
1888-1890
Oil on canvas
National Gallery of Art

Description: In this picture, a boy is shown sitting at what appears to be a desk. He is wearing a red vest. His right arm seems a bit elongated. The colors used are mainly dull and cool, with the exception of the pop the red vest adds.

Interpretation: I get a sense of uneasiness from looking at this picture. The expression on the boys face is one of pondering, but it is impossible to pinpoint exactly what he's thinking about. Since the boy in the image seems to be in his young teen years, the painter could try to get across the feeling of confusion most people at that age feel.

Analysis: Seeing that the colors used are a bit worn & dull, the artist was trying to convey an empty feeling. The boy's eyes don't seem to have much life behind them. His blank expression also shows that though his vest is bright, his imagination is not.

Judgement: I like this piece. The artist does a nice job of getting the feeling of nothingness across.