Le sourire: Journal sérieux, Nov. 1899

Le sourire: Journal sérieux, Nov. 1899 by Paul Gauguin French, 1848-1903, represents a unique convergence of technical innovation and personal publishing late in the artist's career. Created in 1899, this classified print utilizes a highly distinct combination of mimeograph in brownish-black ink for the textual elements and expressive wood-block prints in black ink for the imagery, all rendered on cream wove paper. The use of the mimeograph, a rudimentary duplication process, highlights Gauguin’s attempts to create accessible, non-commercial media from his remote location in the South Seas. The rough, carved aesthetic inherent in the wood-block elements contrasts sharply with the mechanical text, embodying the Primitive style Gauguin sought to champion in his late work.

Le Sourire, meaning "The Smile," was Gauguin’s self-published, small-circulation satirical and philosophical journal, issued irregularly during his second residency in Tahiti. This November 1899 issue served as a critical platform for the dissemination of the artist’s controversial views and deeply personal iconography, often blending commentary on French colonial life with depictions of Tahitian culture. Gauguin’s decision to personally manage the printing of these experimental prints showcases his dedication to artistic autonomy, bypassing established galleries and publishers in France and Europe. His radical, anti-academic approach to the relief print medium, emphasizing texture and direct carving, proved highly influential for subsequent generations of modern printmakers. This historically significant work is currently housed within the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.