Portrait of Stéphane Mallarmé

The Portrait of Stéphane Mallarmé by Paul Gauguin French, 1848-1903, is a remarkable example of mixed media printmaking from the late 19th century. Created in 1891, this highly complex work combines etching, drypoint, and engraving, meticulously executed in black ink. Gauguin did not stop there; he further enhanced the surface of the print with washes and applications of pen and black and brown ink, and brush with black and gray wash, applied directly onto the cream wove paper. This layered, mixed-media approach elevates the work beyond a simple print, transforming it into a highly individualized and atmospheric depiction of the renowned Symbolist poet.

Stéphane Mallarmé (1842-1898) was a crucial figure in the Symbolist movement in France, known for his esoteric and influential poetry that prioritized suggestion over description. Gauguin, who moved in the same Parisian artistic and literary circles, created this portrait reflecting the intellectual intensity often associated with the poet. Gauguin’s choice of the print medium, allowing for deep shadows and expressive, often rough lines, mirrors the Symbolists' preference for suggestion and inner emotion over straightforward, academic representation.

Unlike many artists of the period, Gauguin often treated his prints as unique experiments, blending rigorous graphic techniques with freehand drawing to achieve a powerful psychological effect. This significant piece of graphic art provides insight into the intellectual and aesthetic connections shared by two giants of 19th-century French culture. The work is today housed in the distinguished prints and drawings collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, where the technical complexity of this 1891 creation remains a central focus.