Oviri is a highly complex and innovative wood-block print created by Paul Gauguin French, 1848-1903 in 1894. This print classification work, executed during a period when the artist was deeply exploring symbolic form and primitivist themes, showcases Gauguin’s radical departure from traditional French printmaking techniques. The artist selected cream wove paper designed to imitate Japanese vellum, providing an unconventional surface for his demanding process.
The execution of the piece is notable for its use of both the recto and verso surfaces. The main image (recto) was printed twice, utilizing rich applications of deep yellow ocher and black ink to achieve extraordinary color saturation and textural depth. Complementing this, the reverse side (verso) features a separate wood-block print in black ink applied over a stenciled layer of yellow ink, further incorporating a red ink tone block. This layered and multisided approach illustrates Gauguin's desire to treat the print medium with the same complexity and freedom he afforded painting.
Gauguin's intensive experimentation with multiple color blocks and the careful handling of the paper material distinguishes Oviri within the history of 19th-century graphic arts. This commitment to technique produced a work that feels tactile and painterly, reflecting the Post-Impressionist era's quest for profound, symbolic expression. This significant impression of Oviri is held within the esteemed permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, serving as a pivotal example of Gauguin’s graphic output.
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