Tahiti

"Tahiti" is a significant transfer lithograph created by the French 19th Century artist Paul Gauguin in 1895. This compelling example of the artist's graphic output is executed in black ink on green wove paper, showcasing Gauguin's experimental approach to printmaking during his prolonged stay in the South Pacific.

Gauguin, seeking refuge from European modernity and pursuing a concept of non-Western purity, established his residency in Tahiti in the early 1890s. The art he produced during the critical period of 1876 to 1900 defined his legacy as a central figure in Post-Impressionism and Symbolism. Unlike his vibrant oil paintings, which often feature highly saturated color fields, this print classification demonstrates Gauguin’s mastery of line and texture afforded by the lithographic process to evoke mood and shadow.

The artist utilized the transfer lithograph technique, which allowed him to sketch directly onto paper before transferring the image onto the lithographic stone. This method retained a spontaneous, drawing-like quality in the final image. The specific choice of green wove paper provides a subtle, colored backdrop, enhancing the depth and darkness of the black imagery. This emphasis on texture and simplified form marks a clear break from the academic standards prevalent in traditional French art.

As a crucial late-career work, this print captures the atmosphere and figures the artist encountered, filtered through his highly personal interpretation of Polynesian culture. It continues Gauguin’s investigation into line, form, and spiritual representation, cementing his role as an innovator. This work, a valuable example of the French master’s graphic output, is held in the extensive collection of the National Gallery of Art. High-quality prints of this seminal work are widely available through public domain collections, ensuring broad access to Gauguin’s influential vision.