Paul Cézanne – a solitary genius who overcame opposition from his family, friends and the official Salon – made painting the sole preoccupation of his life. He worked unceasingly to realize his vision of a 'harmony parallel to nature', investigating the logic of colours and re-creating space.

Mocked by Parisian critics, he withdrew to Provence where he laboured quietly until a later generation hailed him as the father of a new art.

Here is his story, told in his own words, in those of his friends, and in the accolades of great artists, philosophers and critics.