“Still Life” is a strange pairing of words, especially for young kids. Since they are not developmentally ready to draw or paint from observation, I’ve long wondered if this is even a genre worth introducing to little guys.
Years of testing out ideas in the art room, however, has me convinced it IS a concept they can grasp. Exploring the arrangement of simple inanimate objects can be a fantastic way to get kids thinking about big design concepts like composition, shape, balance, and overlapping.
This project presents one of my favorite ways to spark interest in the concept of “still life” and make it feel accessible and fun for kids ages 4-8. This unit illustrates how French artist Paul Cézanne (widely credited for influencing several of the best-known painters in art history – Picasso, Degas, and Matisse, to name a few) made a name for himself with his fruit still lifes.
These Paul Cézanne teaching resources and lesson plans:
- expose kids to several of Cézanne’s kid-friendly artworks,
- illustrate the idea that everyday objects can make great subject matter, and
- help you, as facilitator, feel confident about exactly how to connect all this to a super fun, hands-on collage project
Below, you’ll find a detailed overview of the Paul Cézanne art unit. You’ll also find a time-saving motherload of supplemental resources that’ll have you quickly feeling like an absolute authority on all things Cézanne-related (and still life related)! Enjoy!
Keep scrolling for:
- 15 Cézanne-Related Fun Facts
- Common Questions Kids Ask About Paul Cézanne
- Picture Books to go Along with Paul Cézanne Art Projects
- Informational Books about Paul Cézanne
- Informational Videos about Paul Cézanne
- An overview with photos and screenshots of the Paul Cézanne art unit
- Free Printable Paul Cézanne Quote Poster
Famous Artist Facts
15 Fun Facts about Paul Cezanne for Kids
- Cézanne was born on January 19th, 1839.
- His painting career lasted over 40 years! (From 1860 to 1906)
- Cézanne was known for his post-impressionist art style.
- Critics have called Cézanne the “Father of Modern Painting”.
- Cézanne’s work influenced other artists, especially Pablo Picasso.
- Cézanne’s The Card Players was once the world’s most expensive painting, at $250 million.
- Cézanne died on October 22nd, 1906 at age 67.
- The first exhibition of Cézanne’s works was in Paris in 1895.
- Cézanne painted over 900 oil paintings, and 400 watercolors!
- Cézanne’s talent was largely unrecognized during his life, only gaining fame in his last 10 years.
- Cézanne continued to paint until a week before his death.
- His early work focused on landscapes and large, visually heavy figures.
- Cézanne’s later work was painted from direct observation, painting exactly what he saw. You might recognize the fruit bowls he painted!
- Camille Pissarro was Cézanne’s largest influence and mentor.
- Cézanne was often unhappy with his own work, leaving some unfinished and even destroying others!
Common Questions Kids Ask About Paul Cézanne
Where did Paul Cézanne live?
Paul Cézanne is a French painter from Aix-en-Provence, France.
What is Paul Cézanne famous for?
Paul Cézanne is a post-impressionist. Many of his early works were landscapes, and he is well-known for his still life paintings.
What did Paul Cézanne use to paint?
Cézanne created more than 900 oil paintings and 400 watercolors.
Is Paul Cézanne still alive?
No, Cézanne died on October 22, 1906.
For more information about Paul Cézanne, visit the following pages.
Picture Books to go Along with Paul Cézanne Art Projects
In the Paul Cézanne Unit from Kids Art Projects 101 we learn about still life paintings. These picture books can lead to great discussions that support student’s understanding of the concept.
Fruit Bowl by Mark Hoffmann
Using sly science, Tomato proves all the fruit wrong and shows that he belongs in the bowl just as much as the next blueberry! {Full book details here.}
Eating the Alphabet by Lois Ehlert
While teaching upper and lowercase letters to preschoolers, Ehlert introduces fruits and vegetables from around the world. {Full book details here.}
The Fruits We Eat by Gail Gibbons
This scrumptious picture book offers youngsters an inviting, information-packed cornucopia of favorite fruits. {Full book details here.}
Mrs. Peanuckle’s Fruit Alphabet by Mrs. Peanuckle
Children and parents alike will want to devour the fun facts and charming illustrations of fruits from the familiar banana to the not as familiar yumberry. {Full book details here.}
Books About Paul Cézanne
The following books are specifically related to Paul Cézanne and can supplement the facts and information provided in the digital presentation that is part of the Paul Cézanne Art Unit from Kids Art Projects 101.
Cézanne’s Parrot by Amy Guglielmo
An inspiring picture book biography of the artist Paul Cezanne, the painter who laid the groundwork for modern art. {Full book details here.}
Paul Cézanne (Getting to Know the World’s Greatest Artists) by Mike Venezia
Getting to Know the World’s Greatest Artists series combines a delightful mix of full-color historical reproductions, photos, and hilarious cartoon-style illustrations that bring to life the works of renowned artists. {Full book details here.}
Anholt’s Artists Activity Book by Laurence Anholt
Featuring many artists, including Cézanne, this book emphasizes freedom and creativity as it tutors kids through seven art projects in the same way that they might have been taught by the masters. {Full book details here.}
Learn More About Paul Cézanne with these YouTube Videos
Cézanne in 60 Seconds! by Fibo Kids Art Academy
A quick one minute review of Cézanne, his life, and his art. {See it on YouTube.}
In an artist studio in France, a Parisian pineapple is about to paint, but encounters a perplexing problem. The poor pineapple cannot properly place her produce friends on a pedestal for their portrait! {See it on YouTube.}
A more detailed biography of Cézanne, one of the greatest painters of our time! {See it on YouTube.}
Cézanne Teaching Resources and Complete Unit for K-2 Art Students
The Cézanne Unit is a project-based study of Paul Cézanne that introduces young artists to the concept of “still life” in a simple and very accessible way.
Inside the unit you’ll find a 28-page unit guide full of information and tips for teaching this series of art lessons to students in preschool through grade 2.
The unit is broken down into four 40-minute sessions.
For each session there is a guided presentation that has already been prepared for you and can be used via Google Slides or PowerPoint. The presentation also introduces and guides you through completion of a studio project and follow-up activity.
The 119-page combined PDF and Google Slides full resource includes:
- An original digital storybook designed to expose students to famous artworks and details about Paul Cézanne
- A still life practice exercise
- A literacy connection to Cézanne and The Apple Boy by Laurence Anholt
- A step-by-step studio project guide with clear directions, supply lists, and work sample photos
- Three pages of printable stencils
- A quick fun fact
- A digital lesson review
- An art show prompt with guided questions
- A printable self-assessment
- Early finisher coloring page and sing-along suggestions
- Blank slide templates
Cézanne Unit Teaching Tips Video
The Famous Artists units are designed to be open-and-go, but if you are the kind of teacher who likes to dig a little deeper, we’ve also created video tutorials for each of the units. In each video I share helpful tips that I’ve learned along the way as I use these units in my own elementary art classroom. These are currently available only to members of the Kids Art Projects 101 program. Learn more about becoming a member here.
Free Printable Cézanne Quote Poster
I’m sharing a free printable quote poster to go with each of the famous artist units. These can be used as a way to connect art and literacy and inspire discussions about the meaning or significance of each artist’s quote.
The free printable includes a color option that can be placed on display in the art room as décor throughout the year or added to a student work showcase bulletin board.
There is also a black and white version that kids can use as an optional coloring page.
Get the Free Printable Cézanne Quote Poster
Are you a Kids Art Projects 101 member? Download your printable quote poster here.
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