GAUGUIN, Paul, Te Arii Vahine. - Opoi (Woman with Mangos. - Tired)
Was born on June 7, 1848 in Paris. Gauguin is considered one of the leading painters of the Postimpressionist period.
In 1849 his jounalist… [Read biography »]
Signed Paul Gauguin (1848 - 1904), Woodcut, Te Arii Vahine. - Opoi (Woman with Mangos. - Tired)  |
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| Artist: | Gauguin, Paul (1848 - 1904) |
|---|---|
| Title: | Te Arii Vahine. - Opoi (Woman with Mangos. - Tired) |
| Medium: | Woodcut |
| Image Size: | 11 1/4 in x 6 1/4 in (28.6 x 15.9 cm) |
| Framed Size: | 28 3/4 in x 23 3/4 in (73 x 60.3 cm) |
| Signed: | Monogrammed in plate 'PG' |
| Edition: | State 1 of 1, appx 41 impressions exist |
| Condition: | Excellent |
| Price: Item# 1068 | $SOLD Please visit the rest of our GAUGUIN inventory » |
| Description: | |
Displaying Gauguin's combination of Tahitian subject matter and western aesthetic, this boldly composed work gives us a glimpse into the sentiment he felt for the "primitive" culture. Using simplified shapes and elements of nature, one is mystified as to whether this is an interior or exterior scene. Created in 1898, this woodcut is from the only state and is one of approx. only 41 known impressions. From the Kornfeld C. edition, this work is probably one of seven impressions printed on a fine laid paper by Jánus Kubicek in 1961. The original woodblock is now in the National Gallery, Prague. Giving an intense rudimentary quality to the work, Gauguin enhances the textural appearance of the wood with fine incisions that appear throughout the inked portions of the block. Composed of a reclining nude reminiscent of works by other western artists, the figure is set in a mural-like frieze with foliage surrounding her. The artist constantly reminds the viewer of the "primitive" environment of his subjects, drawing upon the nineteenth century's fascination with indigenous cultures and the supposed idyllic lifestyle which their images represented. Appearing to be set in a serene and tranquil environment, the artist's love and adoration for the Tahitian culture is evident in the care and thoughtfulness he put in to this work. Catalogue Raisonné & COA: 1) Mongan, Elizabeth, Eberhard Kornfeld, Harold Joachim, Paul Gauguin, Catalogue Raisonné of his Prints, 1988, listed as cat no 44 on pgs 176-179. 2) Thomson, Belinda, Gauguin, 1987, related painting listed as plate 168 on pg 191. About the Framing: | |
| Style: | 19th Century, Post-Impressionism |
Biography of Paul Gauguin
Paul Gauguin (1848 - 1904)
Was born on June 7, 1848 in Paris. Gauguin is considered one of the leading painters of the Postimpressionist period.
In 1849 his jounalist father's political activities forced the family into exile. The Gauguin family set off for Peru. His father died during the crossing from France. Gauguin's mother, of Peruvian descent on her mother's side, and her two children moved in with a great grand uncle and his family in Lima.
At the age of 17 Gauguin joined the French merchant navy, travelling around
the world for six years. After the death of his mother in 1867, he settled down with his wealthy guardian, Gustave Arosa, who had a large art collection that included works by Delacroix. This period in time shaped Gauguin's interest in the arts. He started collecting Impressionist paintings, and became an amateur painter.
In 1883 the bank that employed Gauguin experienced financial difficulties, and he found himself free to paint full-time. Much of his work during this period was influenced by the Impressionists, especially Pissarro. In 1884 Gauguin went to paint at the artists haven of Pont-Aven. Influenced during this period by van Gogh, Seurat, and Degas, he began to adopt his own independent style.
In 1887, Gauguin left France for Panama. For a short time he worked as a labourer for the Panama Canal Company. He soon left Panama for Martinique, where he continued his development as an artist. In 1888 he returned to Brittany. His experience in Martinique broadened his vision and enabled him to develop original interpretations of scenes in Brittany.
In October, 1888 he travelled to Vincent van Gogh's home in Arles, France. His stay was both traumatic and fruitfull for both artists. They learned a great deal from each other but were often at odds. Gauguin returned to Paris in December after Van Gogh's "ear incident."
Gauguin's break with the Impressionists came when he painted "Vision after the Sermon," where he tried to depict the inner feelings of his subjects. This painting also marked the start of a new painting style that came to be known as "Symbolism."
Although this period had been highly productive for Gauguin, he was deeply depressed and in 1891 abandoned his family to seek an idyllic life in the South Pacific Islands. He stayed briefly in Tahiti's capital, Papeete, and then relocated to a remote part of the island.
He lived in Tahiti from 1891 to 1893, and again from 1895 until his death. In Tahiti his painting style evolved to reflect the Pacific Islands' primitive forms and brilliant colors. His striking images of Polynesian women rank among the most beautiful paintings of the modern age. In 1904, Gauguin, dissipated by drug-addiction, died of a heart attack on Hiva Oa Island in the Marquesas in French Polynesia.
