Bouddha (Buddha)

Bouddha (Buddha) is a deeply expressive woodcut created by Paul Gauguin in 1895. This significant print was executed in brown-black ink on delicate japan paper, a material choice that enhances the work's inherent texture and evocative mood. Gauguin’s decision to pursue printmaking, especially the demanding woodcut technique, reflects his increasing desire to reject polished academic art and explore more visceral, primal forms of artistic expression during the late 1890s. The artist deliberately used the grain and imperfections of the wood block to heighten the emotional and spiritual intensity of the finished piece.

Created during the latter part of the period between 1876 to 1900, this piece exemplifies Gauguin’s fascination with non-Western spiritual themes following his relocation to the South Pacific. While the title specifically references the Buddha, the composition blends diverse cultural iconographies, aligning with Gauguin’s syncretic and often subjective approach to religious subject matter. This synthesis challenged established notions of French artistic culture by deliberately incorporating elements viewed as primitive or exotic. Gauguin treated the woodcut not merely as a reproductive technique, but as a primary medium for conveying his deeply personal vision of mysticism and myth.

The resulting print showcases the artist’s characteristic flattened perspective and bold use of contour. Gauguin's printmaking output from this era is celebrated for its stark contrasts and powerful graphic presence, deeply influencing later generations of Expressionist artists. This particular impression of Bouddha (Buddha) resides within the distinguished prints collection of the National Gallery of Art. As a seminal work from the Post-Impressionist master, this piece remains vital for understanding the broader shift toward Modernism in European art, and since it is now in the public domain, its imagery is widely accessible for scholarship and appreciation.