A Maori Woman in a Forest; Manao Tupapau (She is Haunted by a Spirit)

A Maori Woman in a Forest; Manao Tupapau (She is Haunted by a Spirit) by Paul Gauguin is a potent woodcut print, executed as a trial proof in black during 1894-1895. This deeply psychological work is classified as a print, forming a crucial part of the artist’s graphic output following his initial return from Tahiti. The title itself provides the interpretive key: the scene depicts a lone indigenous woman, likely consumed by a spiritual apprehension or fear suggested by the supernatural presence the title describes.

Gauguin utilized the inherent characteristics of the woodcut medium to reinforce the primal intensity of the subject. The dense application of black ink and the severe, blocky lines create a sense of primitive energy, reflecting Gauguin’s stylistic move toward Symbolism and Primitivism during the pivotal years spanning 1876 to 1900. Unlike the smooth surfaces of his oils, the rough texture generated by the woodblock allowed Gauguin to achieve a visceral quality that he believed better suited the spiritual narratives and folklore of Polynesian culture.

While the subject matter draws entirely from non-Western inspiration, the formal approach remains distinctly French. Gauguin was instrumental in advancing the expressive capabilities of prints and graphic arts in Europe during the late nineteenth century. He treated this medium not merely as reproduction, but as an autonomous form of art, experimenting extensively with color and inking techniques across various proofs.

This specific example, A Maori Woman in a Forest; Manao Tupapau (She is Haunted by a Spirit), offers important insight into the artist’s commitment to narrative ambiguity and the power of myth. The piece, representing a key moment in Gauguin's late career, resides within the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art.