A Fisherman Drinking Beside His Canoe

"A Fisherman Drinking Beside His Canoe" by Paul Gauguin French, 1848-1903, created in 1894, is a remarkable example of the artist's dedication to experimental printmaking and the Post-Impressionist aesthetic. Classified as a unique print, the work is not merely a standard wood-block print in black ink, but a heavily manipulated impression that Gauguin transformed through extensive hand-coloring. He enhanced the surface using a rich palette of watercolor in red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet, and brown, supplemented by precise touches of red and orange gouache. This complex layering of media transforms the inherently graphic nature of the woodcut into a richly atmospheric, mixed-media piece.

Gauguin, working primarily from France but drawing heavily on his travels, was immersed in developing simplified forms and bold coloration during the 1890s, defining his symbolic approach to art. This piece focuses on a solitary fisherman captured in a moment of repose beside his canoe, rendered in the blocky, emphatic style characteristic of the artist’s mature output. The deliberate choice of ivory Japanese paper, laid down on a cream support, reflects the era's widespread fascination with Japonisme and offers unique textural qualities ideal for such highly individualized prints.

The resulting intensity of color and line showcases Gauguin's commitment to pushing the boundaries of the print medium beyond traditional constraints. As one of the most celebrated prints produced by the French artist, the technical complexity of A Fisherman Drinking Beside His Canoe makes it a significant document of his enduring influence. This important 1894 work is held in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.