Cézanne’s paintings and Judd’s Specific Objects: from objects in painting to objects in space

This article examines Judd's Specific Objects in light of Cézanne's paintings and suggests that the two artists share a conception of the relation between objects and space. I argue that, much like Cézanne, Judd saw objects and space as related elements that constantly define each other. Cézanne and Judd are prominent figures who represent two distinct positions in the history of Western art. I consider these positions in relation to the topic of artistic autonomy and suggest that, even though theoreticians have framed Judd's work in opposition to the modernist concept of the autonomous work of art—the American founding figure of Minimalism has something in common with the French 'Father of Modern Art'. The proposed phenomenological analysis of works by Judd and Cézanne moves beyond period-based and medium-oriented interpretations and differs from much art-historical discourse, to suggest an additional perspective on their works.