Fragrance (Noa Noa), small block

Fragrance (Noa Noa), small block by Paul Gauguin is a significant woodcut printed in color on Japanese paper, executed between 1894 and 1895. This print is one of the pivotal works within the artist’s famous Noa Noa series, created following his initial, transformative period in Tahiti (1891-1893). Gauguin developed these graphic works during his return to France, using them to synthesize his experiences, spiritual beliefs, and mythological interpretations of the South Pacific into a unique visual language.

As a printmaker, Gauguin revolutionized the woodcut medium, moving away from traditional relief techniques. He treated the wood block aggressively, often exploiting the visible grain, scratches, and inherent imperfections to imbue the final image with a raw, textured energy. The resulting prints reject the polished finish of academic European art, instead utilizing bold, flattened color areas and starkly silhouetted forms, aligning with his search for artistic primitivism.

The composition utilizes the density of stylized Trees to create a compressed, jungle-like setting. Within this rich environment are figures of men, depicted with the monumental simplicity characteristic of his Tahitian subjects. Gauguin’s focus here is less on objective depiction and more on creating an atmosphere of deep, almost spiritual, mystery. The work operates as a symbolic landscape, merging indigenous life with the artist’s deeply personal vision.

This specific impression of the print, classified as one of Gauguin’s most important graphic contributions, resides in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Prints from the Noa Noa series remain critical documents of the artist's move toward Symbolism and modern art.