Maruru (Offerings of Gratitude), from the Noa Noa Suite

Maruru (Offerings of Gratitude), from the Noa Noa Suite by Paul Gauguin French, 1848-1903, is a pivotal work created during the artist's deeply impactful time in Tahiti. Produced between 1893 and 1894, this image is classified as a wood-block print, although its highly individualized execution pushes the boundaries of traditional graphic arts. Gauguin's innovative process aimed to integrate the vitality of indigenous Tahitian artistic expression with the European tradition of prints.

The complexity of the medium underscores Gauguin’s desire for unique, painterly results from a relief process. The artist printed the wood-block twice, using both brown and black inks, while selectively wiping the brown ink to manipulate light and shadow. He then transformed the piece into a unique hybrid by applying a variety of colors directly by hand, including green, blue, two distinct yellows, and pink watercolor, onto the primary ivory wove Japanese paper. Adding another layer of sophistication, the artist laminated this sheet onto a heavier cream laid Japanese paper to create a final, sturdy support.

This dedication to unconventional technique illustrates Gauguin's pioneering role in Post-Impressionism, particularly his influence on the evolution of modern prints originating from France. The resulting image captures a powerful, symbolic moment, characteristic of the Noa Noa series, which documented his vision of life in the South Pacific. This exceptional example of Gauguin's printmaking innovation resides in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.