André Derain Sketch for ‘The Old Bridge at Cagnes’ 1910

This drawing dates from a period in which Derain had moved away from the rich colouring of Fauvism. The angled modulation of the planes of the bridge and surrounding buildings, and the way in which this is worked across the whole surface of the drawing. reflect his new engagement with the example of Cézanne, whose work was very much in the public eye following his death in 1906. His work of this period encouraged some to see Derain, briefly, as a leading Cubist rather than recognising his interest in Cézanne.