Mahna no varua ino (The Spirit of Evil Is Speaking)

Mahna no varua ino (The Spirit of Evil Is Speaking) by Paul Gauguin is a significant example of the artist’s pioneering exploration of Polynesian mythology and spiritual life, rendered through the expressive medium of the woodcut. The image was conceived and carved in 1894 during Gauguin’s first extended stay in Tahiti, representing a pivotal moment in his artistic development as he sought to reject European conventions. Although the original carving occurred in 1894, this particular impression is dated 1921, executed posthumously, likely under the supervision of the artist’s estate or dealer.

Gauguin revolutionized the use of the woodcut, moving away from established practices of fine illustration toward a rougher, more symbolic form that was essential to his Primitivist agenda. This piece demonstrates his deliberate choice to simplify forms and emphasize heavy, dark lines and stark fields of negative space, lending the print a dramatic sense of chiaroscuro. This harsh, unrefined aesthetic evokes the raw, sometimes frightening power inherent in the spiritual subjects he explored in the South Pacific. As a leading French Post-Impressionist, Gauguin intentionally utilized the print medium to convey the essence of Tahitian mythology, distancing himself decisively from the academic traditions of Europe.

The dual dating, 1894 (creation) and 1921 (printing), is crucial for understanding the widespread dissemination and influence of these key prints long after the artist’s death. The continued production of these works ensured that Gauguin’s radical vision reached a broad international audience. The bold imagery of Mahna no varua ino ensured its lasting importance on subsequent generations of modern artists interested in non-Western forms. Today, this iconic work is held in the prestigious collection of the Museum of Modern Art, preserving a critical document in the history of French art and the evolution of modern prints at the turn of the century.