The Letters of Paul Czanne

A singular thinker and an uncompromising seeker after artistic truth, Czanne channelled a large part of his wide-ranging intellect and ferocious wit into his letters. This translation by Alex Danchev is based on a thorough re-examination of Czannes correspondence with family, friends and major figures from the literary and art worlds. Danchevs great achievement is to allow readers in English to hear Czannes voice for the first time in his own idiomatic, idiosyncratic style. And he sounds rather different from the Czanne we thought we knew richer, wittier, wiser, more philosophical, more irascible, above all more fully human. The letters offer fresh perspectives on his artistic vision, politics, friendships, psychology, philosophy, literary tastes and classical frame of reference. They provide an intimate insight into the preoccupations and personality of a legend.