Breton Women beside a Fence (Bretonnes à la barrière)

Breton Women beside a Fence (Bretonnes à la barrière) is a significant print produced in 1889, attributed to both Paul Gauguin and Ambroise Vollard. This lithograph was executed using a zinc plate and printed on imitation Japan paper, a choice that enhances the flatness and saturated color potential often sought by Post-Impressionist artists. The work captures the distinctive cultural iconography of Brittany, a region Gauguin frequented during his influential artistic explorations of rural, non-urbanized French life.

Gauguin’s focus on the traditional dress and contemplative demeanor of the Breton women reflects his broader pursuit of spiritual and stylistic simplicity in the late 1880s. Unlike his Impressionist contemporaries, Gauguin sought to distill forms into broad, symbolic planes, a method foundational to Symbolism. The composition, characterized by solid figures positioned beside a simple fence, suggests a momentary pause in daily life, emphasizing the quiet dignity of the subjects. This piece is a powerful example of the stylistic shift occurring in French art during the period of 1876 to 1900, moving away from naturalistic representation toward emotional and conceptual expression.

The work further exemplifies the importance of printmaking as a medium for Modernist experimentation. The involvement of Vollard, the renowned dealer and publisher, underscores the collaborative nature of artistic production and the increasing role of prints in disseminating influential designs. While Gauguin is most celebrated for his paintings, his graphic output, such as this lithograph, provided crucial technical opportunities and widened the circulation of his unique style. As a key example of graphic artistry from the late 19th century, the piece currently resides in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. The accessibility of works like this allows for detailed scholarly study, particularly when such important pieces become available in the public domain, furthering our understanding of this pivotal era.