Tahitian Landscape

Tahitian Landscape by Paul Gauguin French, 1848-1903, created in 1894, exemplifies the artist’s inventive approach to printmaking during his second major sojourn to the South Pacific. Although this highly experimental work is classified within the museum’s holdings as a Painting, it utilizes a sophisticated mixed-media technique: a watercolor monotype pulled directly from a glass matrix, further enhanced by delicate touches of opaque gouache. The work’s complexity is evident in its material composition, built upon cream wove paper that has been meticulously laid down onto a sheet of ivory Japanese paper.

Gauguin, a pivotal figure in French Post-Impressionism, used his depictions of indigenous life to challenge established European artistic norms. Dating from 1894, this piece reflects his ongoing artistic exploration of the exotic locale, focusing intently on the lush, tropical environment of Tahiti. The image captures the dense, humid atmosphere of the setting while utilizing the unique properties of the monotype process to achieve distinctive textural richness and blurred outlines—effects often distinct from his oil paintings.

The technical experimentation of 1848-1903 was often driven by his desire to produce unique prints and illustrated books for limited circulation. Works like Tahitian Landscape are significant documents of his later career, demonstrating his commitment to capturing color and light through unconventional, layered methods. The piece, illustrating the continued artistic dialogue between France and its colonies during this era, resides in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.