Be in Love and You Will Be Happy

Be in Love and You Will Be Happy by Paul Gauguin is an expressive and stylistically innovative example of the artist's pioneering use of the woodcut medium. Executed primarily between 1889 and 1903, this print demonstrates Gauguin’s dramatic departure from traditional academic European printmaking techniques. Unlike the refined, precise engravings common in France during the late 19th century, the work embraces a raw, primitive aesthetic, utilizing the natural grain and rugged texture of the wood block to create profound visual depth and tension. Gauguin often used relief methods, like the woodcut, as a way to disseminate his highly symbolic and non-naturalistic compositions, finding in them a spirituality lacking in oil painting.

The piece is characteristic of the Post-Impressionist movement, reflecting Gauguin’s intense interest in non-Western cultures and his rejection of industrial modernity. Though created by a leading figure in French art, this work visually evokes the mystical, often ambiguous spiritual themes Gauguin explored while living in Tahiti. The dense black lines and stark contrasts heighten the emotional impact, transforming the simple declaration of the title into something complex and deeply psychological. This reliance on powerful, simplified forms and graphic energy set a new standard for modern prints and influenced subsequent generations of Expressionist and Symbolist artists interested in the graphic arts.

Classified as a print, this particular impression is held within the esteemed permanent collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Examples of Gauguin’s challenging woodcuts, such as Be in Love and You Will Be Happy, are critical documents showcasing his experimental approach to graphics and his commitment to expressive, rather than merely descriptive, forms.