Le sourire: Journal méchant, Mar. 1900

Le sourire: Journal méchant, Mar. 1900 by Paul Gauguin French, 1848-1903, represents a rare and deeply personal example of the artist's self-publishing efforts during his final years in the South Pacific. Created in 1900, the work originated in France, although it was executed thousands of miles away, showcasing Gauguin’s continued engagement with European cultural critiques.

This piece is classified as a print, distinguished by its complex, hybrid execution. Gauguin utilized the inexpensive and immediate process of mimeograph printing in brownish-black ink, overlaying it with elements created via a wood-block print in stark black ink on cream wove paper. This combination of commercial reproduction and fine art technique was highly unconventional, reflecting the artist’s desire to bypass traditional publishing channels and communicate directly with his audience.

The title, which translates to "The Smile: Naughty Journal," underscores the satirical and often defiant nature of the periodical Gauguin sporadically produced. He used the publication to mock critics, comment on colonial administration, and articulate his aesthetic and philosophical viewpoints away from the Parisian art establishment. The production of such prints confirms Gauguin’s profound interest in graphic arts as a vehicle for narrative and satire, running parallel to his monumental paintings of the same period.

This exceptional work is housed in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. As a crucial artifact from 1900, it aids scholars studying the development of modern prints and the unique trajectory of the Post-Impressionist master. Due to its age, this period of Gauguin’s oeuvre is often discussed in relation to materials approaching the public domain.