Nave nave fenua (Delightful Land), from the Noa Noa Suite

Nave nave fenua (Delightful Land), from the Noa Noa Suite, is a seminal wood-block print created by Paul Gauguin (French, 1848-1903) between 1893 and 1894. This highly experimental work is distinguished by its complex medium, utilizing residual brown and black inks applied to thin, pale-pink wove paper, which has subsequently faded to a tan tone. Gauguin’s innovative approach to printmaking involved the selective wiping of the wooden block, allowing him to control the intensity and variation of the tone, alongside incorporating a transferred twill impression to provide textured passages. Further refinement was achieved through meticulous, hand-applied touches of dark brown ink, ensuring that each existing impression of this print holds a unique quality.

The print belongs to the influential Noa Noa series, created shortly after Gauguin’s first extended sojourn in Tahiti. The title, translating to "Delightful Land," reflects the artist's persistent search for an unspoiled, non-Western paradise far removed from modern France. Unlike traditional Western academic prints, Gauguin deliberately embraced the rough, elemental qualities inherent in the wood-block medium, using it to capture the primal and mythical themes of Polynesian culture he sought to interpret. This embrace of non-traditional aesthetics placed the Noa Noa series at the forefront of modern prints in the late 19th century, profoundly influencing subsequent generations of artists seeking expressive media.

Gauguin's deliberate use of simplified forms, heavy outlines, and symbolic compositions established him as a key pioneer of the Symbolist movement. The finished composition demonstrates his profound engagement with Tahitian mythology and his stylized representation of indigenous figures. This particular impression of Nave nave fenua is classified as a print and is part of the distinguished collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. While many works by this master are entering the public domain, this piece remains a crucial example of Gauguin’s enduring contribution to modern art.