Broad brush strokes of expectation

From the Smart Set: "Cezanne's paintings of apples confused critics and art enthusiasts alike. People were astonished that apples could look so ugly, and be so poorly painted. Some thought Cézanne's still lifes were actually a joke, or an insult. It is difficult, looking at Cézanne's paintings today, to feel the full force of that outrage. But there were certain artistic standards in the late 19th century. … A glossy and well-varnished surface was expected. Cézanne was making a point of being rough and crude."