Banknote Billet France 100 francs Paul Cézanne 1998

The 100 francs Cézanne banknote was issued in 1998 by the Banque de France. It is one of the last large-format French banknotes before the transition to the European single currency, the euro, in 2002. This banknote bears the series letter D, a reference used to identify its print series.

The banknote pays tribute to Paul Cézanne (1839-1906), a French painter from Aix-en-Provence, considered one of the forerunners of modern artistic movements, including Cubism and Fauvism. His work has profoundly influenced the history of Western art, particularly through his exploration of volume and Provençal landscapes, including the famous Mont Sainte-Victoire.

The graphic design of this banknote celebrates Cézanne's pictorial universe. His portrait features prominently on the obverse, accompanied by iconographic elements directly inspired by his work. The reverse also incorporates references to his compositions, particularly his famous still lifes and landscapes, rendered in warm tones of red, ochre and green, evoking his characteristic palette. Mont Sainte-Victoire, a recurring motif in his paintings, is also depicted.

This banknote was produced using the security techniques typical of French banknotes of that era, including elements such as watermarks, special inks and micro-printing designed to combat counterfeiting. Its face value is 100 francs.

As the last French banknote to feature a great painter before the transition to the euro, it represents an important testament to French monetary and cultural policy at the end of the 20th century.