Noa Noa

Noa Noa by Paul Gauguin French, 1848-1903, is a comprehensive serialized print publication that serves as both a visual suite and an illustrated memoir of the artist’s first journey to Tahiti. Dating from the period 1868-1903, this complex work is classified as a print, yet its structure resembles an artist’s book, utilizing multiple methods to convey narrative and imagery.

The elaborate medium involves collotype with letterpress, executed in black ink on cream wove papers that are carefully folded. This combination underscores the textual and visual integration central to Gauguin's ambition. The full presentation held by the Art Institute of Chicago includes further elements: an additional collotype printed in black with touches of red on ivory laid paper, an envelope, and an outer cream wove paper wrapper, also featuring a collotype.

Gauguin’s exploration of life in the South Pacific forms the intellectual core of this suite. The title itself, meaning 'fragrant' or 'sweetly scented' in Tahitian, directly relates to the prose-poem the artist wrote detailing his experiences and impressions of Polynesian culture. This intensive focus on non-Western subjects cemented Gauguin’s influential role in Symbolist art and redefined European conceptions of primitivism.

As a crucial example of Gauguin’s output, the Noa Noa suite masterfully bridges the artist’s literary pursuits with his groundbreaking visual techniques. The meticulous pairing of letterpress text alongside richly toned collotype prints demonstrates the French artist’s commitment to crafting a complete aesthetic statement. This rare edition provides essential context for understanding modern prints at the turn of the century and is a highlight of the Art Institute of Chicago’s collection.