本書的重要性在於統合塞尚晚年藝術與柏格森哲學的實質研究，從而論述柏格森哲學與現代藝術的密切關係。內容共分五章，第一章陳述目前「塞尚研究」之概況，檢視各家論述重點與問題所在，並指陳可能線索與本文立場；隨之，在第二章裡，進一步將各研究者的問題加以歸類，而統合於塞尚「研究自然」的核心理念之下，辨析各說之曲直原委，並批判其優缺點，以指出柏格森線索之必要性；在第三章中，本書將探究柏格森早期重要著作之要旨，並介紹其對當時藝術發展的影響。
第四章將論證柏格森哲學與塞尚晚年藝術廣泛的類似性，並依其先後發展歷程推斷其相關性；最後一章歸結本研究的哲學意義並解答若干具有爭論性的問題，包含: 柏格森哲學的發展也持續影響到部份塞尚的後繼者，如野獸主義、立體主義與未來主義的重要成員， 於是，以二十世紀初歐洲繪畫為主體的現代繪畫的重要特質之一，可較完整地被詮釋為：以塞尚為先導、一個富有變化與創意的「柏格森風格」（Bergsonian style）之表現形式與創新發展。
The main crux of this book is to discuss the analogy between Paul Cezanne’s late works and Henri Bergson’s early philosophy, thereby providing those who are interested in or troubled by the artist’s motivation a Bergsonian interpretation.
The writer adopts the method of contrast in analyzing both their notions of “intuition and intelligence” epistemology-wise as well as “appearance and reality” metaphysics-wise. This book will also compare their respective use of abstract philosophical symbols and concrete artistic symbols.
Aside from arguing the intensive relatedness between the two in the form of book for the first time, the author also points out how Bergson’s philosophical development continued to have influence on some of Cezanne’s artistic successors, such as the main proponents of Fauvism, Cubism and Futurism.
Consequently, a principal characteristic of early 20th century French painting could be interpreted as the multiple formal expressions and innovative developments of Bergsonian style, or the crystallization of Bergsonism.
第四章將論證柏格森哲學與塞尚晚年藝術廣泛的類似性，並依其先後發展歷程推斷其相關性；最後一章歸結本研究的哲學意義並解答若干具有爭論性的問題，包含: 柏格森哲學的發展也持續影響到部份塞尚的後繼者，如野獸主義、立體主義與未來主義的重要成員， 於是，以二十世紀初歐洲繪畫為主體的現代繪畫的重要特質之一，可較完整地被詮釋為：以塞尚為先導、一個富有變化與創意的「柏格森風格」（Bergsonian style）之表現形式與創新發展。
The main crux of this book is to discuss the analogy between Paul Cezanne’s late works and Henri Bergson’s early philosophy, thereby providing those who are interested in or troubled by the artist’s motivation a Bergsonian interpretation.
The writer adopts the method of contrast in analyzing both their notions of “intuition and intelligence” epistemology-wise as well as “appearance and reality” metaphysics-wise. This book will also compare their respective use of abstract philosophical symbols and concrete artistic symbols.
Aside from arguing the intensive relatedness between the two in the form of book for the first time, the author also points out how Bergson’s philosophical development continued to have influence on some of Cezanne’s artistic successors, such as the main proponents of Fauvism, Cubism and Futurism.
Consequently, a principal characteristic of early 20th century French painting could be interpreted as the multiple formal expressions and innovative developments of Bergsonian style, or the crystallization of Bergsonism.