Le sourire: Journal sérieux, Aug. 21, 1899

Le sourire: Journal sérieux, Aug. 21, 1899 is a rare and technically complex print by Paul Gauguin French, 1848-1903. Created in 1899, this piece showcases the artist's continuous dedication to innovative, experimental printmaking techniques late in his career. The classification of the work as a print belies the complexity of its execution; it utilizes multiple processes, specifically a mimeograph rendered in brownish-black ink and a wood-block print applied in ocher ink, layered onto cream wove paper. Gauguin further enhanced this particular copy with delicate, unique touches of pink watercolor.

The work was produced during a critical period in Gauguin’s development when he was living in Tahiti but maintained a vigorous communication with his intellectual circle in France. The title refers to Le Sourire (The Smile), a satirical and serious journal that Gauguin produced himself, highlighting his literary and graphic talents. He often used these self-published prints to disseminate his aesthetic and philosophical ideas, bypassing the traditional European gallery system.

This image demonstrates Gauguin’s willingness to embrace graphic arts as a powerful medium for expression, moving beyond the constraints of traditional etching and lithography to explore modern, reproductive processes like the mimeograph. The layered application of varied inks and techniques creates a dynamic surface texture typical of the artist’s late style and confirms his mastery of the graphic arts. As a unique example of late 19th-century French printmaking, the work resides in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. Understanding works like this, which increasingly enter the public domain, is essential for appreciating the full scope of Gauguin’s inventive output in prints.