L'Estaque, effet du soir

1852

Friendship with Émile Zola at the Collège Bourbon

At the Collège Bourbon in Aix, Cézanne befriended Émile Zola and Baptistin Baille; the three were nicknamed "Les Trois Inséparables" (The Three Inseparables).

April 1861

Move to Paris to Pursue Painting

Against the objections of his banker father, he abandoned his law studies and moved to Paris at Zola's urging. Rejected by the École des Beaux-Arts, he studied at the free Académie Suisse, where he met Camille Pissarro.

1863

Participation in the First Salon des Refusés

Cézanne's paintings were shown at the first Salon des Refusés, established by Napoleon III after the scandal over the rejection of works by Manet, Pissarro, and Monet.

1872

Working with Pissarro in Pontoise

At Pissarro's invitation he worked in Pontoise; his mentor persuaded him to abandon dark tones and paint with the three primary colors, which lightened Cézanne's palette.

15 April – 15 May 1874

First Impressionist Exhibition

He took part in the first group exhibition of the future Impressionists in the studio of the photographer Nadar; his "A Modern Olympia" provoked critical outrage. "The House of the Hanged Man" was bought by Count Doria for 300 francs — one of the few paintings sold.

1877

Sixteen Works at the Third Impressionist Exhibition

He presented 16 works at the third Impressionist exhibition, once again met with harsh criticism. It was the last time he exhibited with the Impressionists.