Te atua (The God), from the Suite of Late Wood-Block Prints

Te atua (The God), from the Suite of Late Wood-Block Prints, created by Paul Gauguin French, 1848-1903 between 1898 and 1899, represents the artist’s radical shift toward experimental printmaking during his final years in the South Pacific. This highly complex composition is defined by its layered medium: a wood-block print of the second state, executed in black ink on thin, lunette-shaped ivory Japanese paper, is carefully laid down onto an impression of the first state. The underlying first state, rendered in a brownish-black ink on similar ivory wove paper, contributes a subtle textural depth that enhances the work’s primitive aesthetic.

The title, Te atua, speaks to Gauguin’s deep immersion in Polynesian spirituality and mythology, contrasting starkly with the established artistic norms of contemporary France. Utilizing a reductive, raw carving style, Gauguin prioritized the expressive potential of the wood grain and stark contrasts over fine detail, emphasizing the mysterious and powerful nature of the indigenous divine figures.

This innovative use of layering techniques and varied inks marks this piece as a significant example of Gauguin’s modernist graphic arts output. As a celebrated print in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, Te atua showcases the artist’s lasting influence on Expressionism. Though this specific artwork is protected, many of Gauguin’s earlier works are frequently made available in the public domain, allowing for widespread study of his evolution as a master of both painting and prints.