Projet d’assiette (Leda) (Design for a Plate [Leda]), frontispiece from the Volpini Suite

Projet d’assiette (Leda) (Design for a Plate [Leda]), frontispiece from the Volpini Suite by Paul Gauguin (French, 1848-1903), published by Ambroise Vollard, is an essential early example of the artist's move toward Symbolism. Created in 1889, the work is a zincograph in black, printed on ivory wove paper, specifically an imitation Japanese vellum. This technical choice allowed Gauguin to achieve the bold, flattened aesthetic that characterized his work during this pivotal period in France.

The work served as the frontispiece for the famed Volpini Suite (also known as the Exhibition of Prints), a portfolio of ten lithographs that Gauguin exhibited independently at the Café Volpini during the 1889 Universal Exposition in Paris. The design is a direct reference to the classical myth of Leda and the Swan, reinterpreted here as a stylized, decorative pattern intended for a functional object, such as a serving plate. Gauguin frequently adapted classical and mythological subjects, integrating them with the expressive, outline-heavy techniques developed in the Pont-Aven school. The distinct graphic quality of the zincograph medium allowed him to explore stark contrasts and non-traditional compositions, setting his prints apart from the prevailing academic styles.

Though initially self-published and displayed in a radical context, the significance of the Volpini Suite was cemented when later editions of these influential prints were managed by renowned dealer Ambroise Vollard. This early suite demonstrates Gauguin’s commitment to printmaking as a powerful means of expression. This impression of Projet d’assiette (Leda) is a vital part of the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, illustrating the evolution of modern graphic arts. Many of the seminal works by this French master are now within the public domain, ensuring wide accessibility to his transformative output.