Breton Women by a Gate, from the Volpini Suite by Paul Gauguin (French, 1848-1903) is a seminal work of graphic art created during the artist’s critical stay in Brittany in 1889. This print belongs to a portfolio of eleven zincographs commissioned by Alfred Volpini for a controversial independent exhibition held concurrently with the Exposition Universelle in Paris. Gauguin utilized the demanding technique of the zincograph-a form of lithography where the image is drawn onto a zinc plate-to achieve stark contrast and powerful, simplified forms characteristic of his developing Symbolist style. The unique visual intensity is amplified by the choice of support: black ink printed directly onto a bold chrome yellow wove paper, creating a striking tension between the dense, flattened figures and the luminous ground.
The subject matter, reflecting the traditional life in Pont-Aven and Le Pouldu, was central to Gauguin’s ongoing search for the primitive and authentic, paradoxically sought within rural France. The work depicts two women in traditional Breton costumes paused near a rustic gateway. Gauguin’s approach minimizes realistic modeling in favor of strong outlines and defined color planes-a method he termed Synthetism. The figures are treated almost as isolated symbols, emphasizing their stoic presence and the perceived timelessness of their culture, a theme that dominated his output immediately preceding his departure for the tropics.
This piece remains an important record of Gauguin’s mastery of prints, demonstrating how he translated the visual language of his Symbolist paintings into monochromatic graphic media. The impression resides in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, providing a vital insight into the artist’s exploration of graphic arts during this highly productive year. As with many works from this period, the widespread availability of high-quality images has allowed these prints to inform countless studies on modern art and the use of the public domain for research.
Important: ArtBee makes no warranties about the copyright status of this artwork. To the best of our knowledge, based on information from the source museum, we believe this work is in the public domain.
You are responsible for determining the rights status and securing any permissions needed for your use. Copyright status may vary by jurisdiction. See our License & Usage page and Terms of Service for details.