Le sourire: Journal sérieux, Oct. 13, 1899

Le sourire: Journal sérieux, Oct. 13, 1899 by Paul Gauguin French, 1848-1903 is a critical document of the artist’s late career, showcasing his experimental approach to self-publishing and printmaking. Created in 1899, this unique piece employs a complex, layered technical process. The base image is achieved through mimeograph, rendered in a brownish-black ink, overlaid with distinct images created via wood-block prints using sharp black ink on cream wove paper. This combination of fine art woodcut techniques with the relatively inexpensive, nascent technology of the mimeograph reflects Gauguin's (1848-1903) determination to circulate his work and ideas widely, despite his remote residence in the South Seas.

This specific print served as an issue of the short-lived, satirical publication Le Sourire (The Smile), a journal Gauguin personally designed and often authored. Rooted in the graphic arts traditions of France, the work transcends mere illustration, becoming a potent visual and textual commentary on the cultural and political affairs of the time. Gauguin used such graphic works to maintain an intellectual and often controversial dialogue with the Parisian art world, demonstrating how he leveraged the print medium for polemical expression.

Classified strictly as a print, this piece highlights Gauguin’s pioneering role in adapting traditional techniques for modern expressive and journalistic ends. The enduring visual power of the woodcuts combined with the raw quality of the mimeograph underscore the urgency of the artist’s message. This work is a significant example of French prints from the turn of the century and is held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.