Le Sourire (The Smile)

Le Sourire (The Smile) is a seminal woodcut created by French Post-Impressionist artist Paul Gauguin, conceived in 1899 during his final period in the Marquesas Islands. Classified as a print, the work utilizes the subtractive technique of relief printing, a medium Gauguin favored for its bold, expressive qualities and its association with traditional Polynesian artistic practices. The resulting image, characterized by heavy lines and stark textural contrasts, powerfully embodies the principles of Symbolism and Primitivism that defined Gauguin’s late oeuvre.

This particular work was conceived shortly before the turn of the century, but the edition held by the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) was printed in 1921, demonstrating the posthumous appreciation for the printmaking blocks Gauguin left behind. The subject is highly simplified and intensely stylized: a single, mask-like face staring directly outward. The exaggerated features and the cryptic, enigmatic expression suggested by the title contribute to the sense of psychological depth inherent in the piece. Gauguin intentionally embraced the crudeness of the woodcut medium, rejecting the polished finesse of conventional European etching to achieve a more visceral, almost brutal energy.

Created during Gauguin’s self-imposed exile, Le Sourire (The Smile) reflects his preoccupation with conveying the inner spirit rather than external reality, a central tenet of the Symbolist movement. The rough texture and deeply carved lines maximize the interaction between light and shadow, giving the print a totemic power. This innovative approach to printmaking cemented Gauguin’s legacy not just as a painter, but as a master of the graphic arts. As an influential piece of modern art created by this crucial French master, the work continues to be studied extensively, with high-quality reproductions of these prints often available through public domain archives, supporting ongoing scholarship and appreciation.