Paul Cezanne was a French Post-Impressionist painter whose work laid the foundation for modern art. He is renowned for his paintings of Mont Sainte-Victoire, still lifes and portraits. His use of color and brushstrokes to create depth in his works, as well as his emphasis on geometric forms, have had an enduring influence on generations of artists. He is considered one of the greatest painters in history, with many attributing him to being the "father of modern art".
 
Gustave Eiffel was a French engineer and architect who is best known for designing the iconic Eiffel Tower in 1889. He also designed other famous structures, such as the Statue of Liberty's internal framework and the Garabit Viaduct bridge in France. His career spanned over five decades, during which he helped revolutionize modern architecture and engineering methods.
 
Gustave Eiffel and Paul Cezanne had a mutual admiration for each other's work. In 1879, the two artists had an exchange of letters in which they discussed their respective works. Eiffel praised Cezanne's work as revolutionary, and Cezanne remarked on how much he admired the innovative designs of Eiffel's metal structures. Both were fascinated by form and structure, experimenting with new techniques to create dynamic compositions in both art and engineering. The legacy of these two artists is still seen today in the many bridges, monuments, sculptures and buildings around the world that have been inspired by their creative vision.