If you go to Google today on pretty much all the versions, Google.com or a localized version of Google, you will find a special Google logo, also known as a Google Doodle. This Google logo is for Paul Cezanne, it is his 172nd birthday today and for the day, Google posted a special logo commemorating his life and work.
He was born today in 1839 and died on October 22, 1906. He was known for his art and painting, specific notable works include Apothose de Delacroix, The Bathers, Mont Sainte-Victoire, Rideau, Cruchon et Compotier, and The Basket of Apples.
The Google Doodle today was actually first painted by a Googler named Mike Dutton as a real oil painting and then reconstructed in digital format. That is right, they first took out a canvas and oil paints and made this the old fashion way.
Here is the logo as seen on Google's home page:
But Google tweeted this morning saying:
Today is Paul Cezanne's 172nd bday. To inform our homepage homage, we made a real oil painting first. Enjoy!
They then linked to a picture of the real painting. Here it is:
Not bad!
Forum discussion at Google Blogoscoped Forums.
Update: The Googler who painted and designed this logo is named Mike Dutton. Google told me, "unfortunately, the doodle is not for sale." You can learn more about Mike Dutton on his web site duttonart.net.
