Banknote France 100 Francs - Paul Cézanne - 1997 - Series P

The 100 francs Paul Cézanne banknote was issued by the Banque de France in 1997 and belongs to series P. It is one of the last large-format French banknotes before the transition to the euro in 2002.

This banknote pays tribute to Paul Cézanne (1839-1906), a French painter from Aix-en-Provence, a major figure of Post-Impressionism and a forerunner of the artistic movements of the 20th century. His work, characterised by a rigorous exploration of geometric forms and volumes, profoundly influenced Cubism and modern art in general.

The obverse of the banknote features a portrait of Paul Cézanne accompanied by direct references to his pictorial world, including evocations of his famous still lifes and his depictions of Mont Sainte-Victoire, a recurring motif in his work. Warm tones dominate the graphic composition, with ochres, yellows and greens reminiscent of the Provençal painter's characteristic palette. The reverse also features iconographic elements related to his artistic work, incorporating details from his most celebrated canvases.

The banknote incorporates the security features characteristic of Banque de France issues of that era, including a watermark, a security thread embedded in the paper, as well as optically variable ink effects and micro-printing designed to prevent counterfeiting. The paper used is of the fiduciary type, composed mainly of cotton fibres, which gives it a distinctive texture and superior durability compared to ordinary paper. Its weight is one gram.

This 100 francs banknote is part of the series of late 20th-century French banknotes that chose to celebrate iconic figures of French culture and the arts, making it a heritage testament to France's monetary and cultural policy before European monetary unification.