Manao tupapau (She Thinks of the Ghost or The Ghost Thinks of Her)

Manao tupapau (She Thinks of the Ghost or The Ghost Thinks of Her) by Paul Gauguin French, 1848-1903, is a deeply evocative and technically complex print created between 1894 and 1895. This striking work revisits the profound theme of fear and superstition that Gauguin first explored in his famous 1892 oil painting. The composition focuses on a figure, presumably a Tahitian woman, lying prone on a bed in a state of apprehension, dominated by the brooding, shadowed presence that represents the tupapau, or ghost.

Gauguin’s technical approach distinguishes this piece significantly within the history of prints. The artist used a wood-block print in black ink on fine ivory Japanese paper, transforming the printed matrix into a unique, almost monotype-like object through extensive hand-coloring. He meticulously applied a vibrant, non-naturalistic spectrum of colors-red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet, and brown-using both a brush and elaborate stencil techniques. This fusion of block printing with watercolor enhancement showcases Gauguin's continued commitment to color as an expressive tool, pushing the boundaries of graphic art.

Although the subject matter is firmly rooted in his experiences in the South Pacific, this work was executed during Gauguin's return to France. The artist intended for such prints to help convey his exotic vision and philosophical interests to European audiences. Gauguin's experimentation with relief printing and intense color was deeply influential on subsequent generations of artists seeking expressive alternatives to traditional Academic forms. This important impression, known for its superb coloration and condition, is held in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.