Ia orana Maria (Hail Mary)

The print Ia orana Maria (Hail Mary) was created by Paul Gauguin (French, 1848-1903) between 1894 and 1895. This evocative work is classified as a print, specifically executed using the transfer zincograph technique. Gauguin utilized dark-blue ink pressed onto coarse-grained transfer paper, which was carefully laid upon cream wove paper designed to imitate the luxurious texture of Japanese vellum.

Originating from the Symbolist movement in France, this piece demonstrates Gauguin's commitment to synthesizing sacred Christian themes with his experiences in Polynesia. The title, which translates to "Hail Mary," confirms a religious subject reinterpreted through the lens of Tahitian culture, where the artist spent much of his final years. The composition itself synthesizes traditional Madonna and Child imagery with the exotic surroundings and figures of the South Pacific, a defining characteristic of Gauguin’s post-Impressionist style. His experimental approach to lithography is evident in the striking texture and rich blue color achieved through the zincograph process.

The creation of graphic works, such as these sophisticated prints, allowed Gauguin to disseminate his unique visual synthesis more widely than through painting alone, influencing subsequent generations of French artists. This important example of late 19th-century European printmaking is housed in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. As a historically significant masterwork, the image is frequently studied and, in various forms, is sometimes available through public domain collections for scholarly research and appreciation.