Noa Noa (Fragrant, Fragrant)

Noa Noa (Fragrant, Fragrant) by Paul Gauguin and Louis Roy, created between 1894 and 1895, is a highly influential example of the color woodcut technique, marking a pivotal moment in the development of modern prints. The creation of this work coincided with Gauguin's return to France following his first extended stay in Tahiti, where he sought inspiration outside of Western European artistic tradition. While Gauguin executed the raw carvings on the wood blocks, the technical expertise of Louis Roy, an experienced French printer, was crucial in realizing the complex, layered color impressions. This demanding, collaborative process resulted in an aesthetic roughness that Gauguin intentionally embraced, reinforcing his commitment to a "primitive" visual language.

The work's title, meaning "Fragrant, Fragrant," refers to the semi-autobiographical manuscript Gauguin wrote detailing his experiences and philosophical insights gained in the South Pacific. The subject matter within the print series reflects his deeply personal exploration of Polynesian life and mythology, filtered through a Symbolist lens. The color woodcut medium allows for stark contrast and simplified forms, emphasizing pattern and emotion over realistic depiction. Created within the 1876 to 1900 period, the resulting graphic power demonstrates Gauguin's radical departure from Impressionism and his key role in shaping Post-Impressionist and Expressionist aesthetics.

This celebrated work is classified as a print and resides in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Gauguin's innovative approach, leveraging the texture and grain of the woodblock itself, greatly influenced subsequent generations of artists working in the medium. Documentation and high-resolution images of this important French work are often available through public domain art initiatives, allowing scholars and enthusiasts worldwide to study the profound formal and conceptual achievements of Noa Noa.