An exhibition titled Cezanne et nous has opened at the Grand Palais in Paris and will run until January 17, 2027. It showcases nearly 180 works, including paintings by Paul Cezanne and 78 other artists, ranging from Paul Gauguin and Émile Bernard to post-war abstract artists like Joan Mitchell and Ellsworth Kelly, as well as contemporary artists such as Peter Doig and David Hockney. The exhibition explores how Cezanne's artistic vision has inspired and transformed the work of later artists across different eras and styles. Paul Cezanne, often called the "Father of Modernity" by Pablo Picasso, is recognized for his profound influence on modern art and philosophy. His paintings focus on capturing the immediacy of perception rather than simply replicating the visible world. The exhibition's curators note that Cezanne's name is spelled without an accent—Cezanne—as recorded in his official documents and personal signature. Philosopher Maurice Merleau-Ponty, a key figure in 20th-century phenomenology, was deeply influenced by Cezanne's approach to painting. In works such as Le doute de Cézanne, Sens et Non-sens, Phénoménologie de la perception, L’Œil et l’Esprit, and Le Visible et l’Invisible, Merleau-Ponty examined how Cezanne's method challenged traditional artistic conventions. He was particularly interested in how Cezanne's work did not aim to copy nature according to classical rules or capture momentary impressions. Instead, Cezanne sought to rediscover the world as it initially appears to the senses, before it becomes familiar and categorized into known objects. This approach resonates with phenomenology, a philosophical movement that emphasizes direct experience and the study of perception. The exhibition also reflects on Cezanne's broader influence on philosophy, as explored in Marc de Launay's book Peinture et philosophie (Éditions du Cerf, 2021). It highlights how artists like Cezanne, Renoir, and Edward Hopper have been studied by philosophers for their insights into themes such as visibility, landscape, and spatial perception. Through these works, the exhibition invites visitors to consider the deep connections between art and philosophy, and how visual expression can shape our understanding of the world.