Cézanne

Paul Cézanne (1839-1906) was a French post-impressionist painter whose work bridged the gap between Impressionism and Cubism. He is considered one of the most influential artists of the 19th century. Cézanne is newsworthy because a painting attributed to him was recently stolen, along with works by Renoir and Matisse, from the Magnani Rocca Foundation museum near Parma, Italy. The theft occurred in March, but details were confirmed recently. These stolen paintings, being difficult to sell on the open market, may now be used as collateral within mafia circles. This incident highlights the ongoing vulnerability of art museums to theft and the potential for stolen artwork to be used in illicit activities.