Le Sourire

Le Sourire is a significant print created by Paul Gauguin in 1899. This impression is a woodcut executed on delicate china paper, a choice that enhances the subtle texture and deeply inked impression of the block. During his final years in the South Pacific, Gauguin explored printmaking extensively, moving away from conventional European academic approaches to embrace the raw, expressive potential of the woodcut medium. Gauguin often used simple, sometimes crude, tools to carve his blocks, resulting in stark, deliberately rough lines and powerful contrasts that define his unique aesthetic during this period of exile.

The composition features stylized figures characteristic of Gauguin’s focus on non-Western iconography. The central figure is a woman whose enigmatic expression justifies the work's title, conveying a sense of silent repose or subtle mystery. Surrounding her, Gauguin incorporates elements of the natural environment, specifically stylized animals and birds, which often held spiritual or symbolic significance in his Tahitian narratives. The deliberate flatness of the forms and the rejection of traditional perspective reflect the artist’s interest in synthesizing visual reality with abstract, emotional truths, heavily influencing subsequent generations of artists working in prints.

This piece demonstrates Gauguin’s innovative approach to late 19th-century printmaking and stands as a key example of his commitment to Primitivism. The powerful graphic design of Le Sourire continues to hold sway over modern art. This rare impression is held in the comprehensive collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it serves as an important reference point for studying the artist's complete output. Although the original prints are exclusive, the visibility of this imagery, now often available through public domain sources, ensures that Gauguin’s compelling vision remains widely appreciated.