Aha oe feii? (What! Are You Jealous?)

Aha oe feii? (What! Are You Jealous?) by Paul Gauguin French, 1848-1903, created in 1894, is classified as a painting, though its execution relies upon a complex, layered printmaking process. Gauguin utilized a specialized technique for this work, employing a watercolor monotype pulled from a glass matrix. This base layer was then extensively reworked with brush and color, demonstrating the artist’s characteristic blurring of media distinctions between painting and graphic arts.

The materials involved were highly specific: the work features the application of reddish-brown and black watercolor, heightened by brushwork using white gouache, all applied to a cream wove paper that intentionally imitates Japanese vellum. This elaborate process allowed Gauguin to achieve the saturated, slightly diffused color fields he desired, contrasting sharply with the academic styles predominant in late 19th-century France.

Dating from the final decade of Gauguin’s career, the work reflects his deep engagement with Symbolism and the culture he encountered in the South Pacific. The Tahitian title, Aha oe feii?—which translates directly to "What! Are You Jealous?"—suggests a private narrative or confrontation, emphasizing the psychological tension often present in Gauguin’s figurative scenes from the islands.

This unique mixed-media composition stands as a significant example of the Post-Impressionist master's experimental use of prints and monotypes. It resides in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, where it offers a critical insight into Gauguin's innovative methodology. As a work of historical importance created by this leading French artist, the imagery is frequently reproduced and available in the public domain.