Parau No Te Varau Ino (left); Tahitian Legend (right)

Parau No Te Varau Ino (left); Tahitian Legend (right) is a pivotal drawing created by Paul Gauguin between 1890 and 1895, the initial phase of his self-imposed artistic exile in French Polynesia. This period was crucial for Gauguin, marked by his rejection of European visual norms and a deep, often romanticized, exploration of indigenous Tahitian myths and spiritual life. Classified specifically as a drawing, this piece exemplifies the artist’s sophisticated use of mixed media, expertly combining pen and brown ink, gray wash, and black chalk applied to J. Whatman paper.

The use of layered media gives the work a remarkable textural quality and depth, departing significantly from the preparatory sketches typically associated with drawings. Gauguin employed wash and chalk to modulate light and shadow, enhancing the mysterious atmosphere inherent in the depiction of Tahitian legends. The composition’s dual structure, implied by its specific parenthetical titles, suggests a complex narrative or thematic contrast central to the artist's engagement with non-Western folklore. Such works functioned as visual documentation and symbolic interpretation, fusing representation with the conceptual themes of existence, sin, and local spirituality (varau ino translates roughly to "evil talk" or "wicked word").

This unique drawing belongs firmly within the Post-Impressionist era, characterizing the output of the French avant-garde during the late period of 1876 to 1900. Gauguin's enduring influence stems from his pioneering role in the development of Symbolism and Primitivism. The drawing is a significant example of his work and is currently held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. While the original drawing requires careful preservation, high-quality prints and scholarly reproductions of this important work are often made available through public domain initiatives, allowing broader appreciation for Gauguin’s exploration of non-European cultural narratives.