Study of Tahitian Heads

Study of Tahitian Heads by Paul Gauguin French, 1848-1903, created in 1898, is a sophisticated example of the artist’s late-career exploration into experimental printmaking. Classified specifically as a print, the work utilizes a complex medium that merges several processes: watercolor and pastel monotype pulled from a paper matrix, subsequently finished with additional layers of dry pastel. This hybrid technique, executed on cream Japanese paper and later laid down on mat board, allowed Gauguin to merge the spontaneity of drawing with the rich, variable tonalities of painting, resulting in a unique single-impression image rather than an edition.

The piece reflects Gauguin's enduring fascination with the indigenous people of the South Pacific, where he spent his final years seeking an artistic and cultural purity away from cosmopolitan Europe. The stylized rendering of these Tahitian subjects highlights the artist's Post-Impressionist focus on symbolic color and strong, expressive contours. By experimenting with the monotype process, Gauguin further pushed the boundaries of traditional artistic categories, achieving textures and densities rarely seen in standard prints.

This body of work from 1898 demonstrates Gauguin's continued commitment to unconventional forms of artistic expression toward the end of his life. These studies offer vital insight into his working methods, bridging his painted canvases and his graphic output. This important example of French printmaking from the late 19th century is preserved in the prestigious collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.