At the Black Rocks (Aux roches noires)

At the Black Rocks (Aux roches noires) is a highly textural woodcut created by Paul Gauguin in 1895. Classified specifically as a working proof, this print exemplifies Gauguin's definitive move away from traditional academic techniques and highlights his embrace of primitive art forms and bold graphic media during the period of 1876 to 1900. Unlike the meticulously finished appearance of contemporary etchings, Gauguin intentionally utilized the inherent roughness and deep textural possibilities offered by the woodcut. This approach allowed the French artist to achieve strong contrasts and simplified forms, reflecting his increasing engagement with Symbolism and non-Western iconography following his move to the South Pacific.

Gauguin often manipulated the block aggressively, employing deep carving to create areas of pure black and exploiting the exposed wood grain as a compositional element, integrating its pattern directly into the sky and water of At the Black Rocks. This work possesses a brooding intensity characteristic of his graphic output from this time. As a working proof, this specific impression provides valuable documentation of the artist's developmental process, showcasing the raw, immediate impact of his hand before subsequent editions or alterations were made. Gauguin frequently arranged his figures in dynamic, sometimes flattened compositions, using heavy outlines and stark lighting to emphasize narrative drama over naturalism.

This powerful example of Post-Impressionist printmaking proved highly influential, inspiring subsequent generations of artists interested in graphic design and expressionistic techniques. The deliberate crudeness of the line work and the forceful abstraction underscore Gauguin's foundational role in modern art history. This woodcut proof is held in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art, where it serves as a critical document of Gauguin’s technical experimentation and his lasting legacy in the realm of prints.