The Invocation

The Invocation by Paul Gauguin is a profound example of the artist's late career explorations, completed in 1903, just months before his death. This powerful oil on canvas composition reflects Gauguin’s continued immersion in Oceanic life and his final development of Symbolist themes. Created during the period spanning 1901 to 1925, this work firmly places Gauguin within the ultimate evolution of Post-Impressionism, marked by vibrant, flattened color fields and evocative, non-naturalistic representation. The great French master spent his final years seeking refuge and inspiration in the remote Marquesas Islands, an experience which deeply informed the spiritual and aesthetic qualities of this piece.

Gauguin's technical approach in this painting utilizes broad, decisive strokes and distinct outlines, techniques characteristic of his matured Synthetism. The surface quality of the oil on canvas suggests both intense emotion and careful design, prioritizing psychological or spiritual resonance over strict academic realism. The title immediately suggests a ceremonial or mystical scene—an act of calling upon higher powers or ancient spirits—a theme consistent with Gauguin's romanticized view of non-Western spiritualism. The composition likely features figures integrated into a deeply saturated tropical setting, using color symbolically to convey mood and mystical atmosphere, a move far beyond his earlier Impressionistic roots and cementing his influence on Expressionism.

The legacy of Gauguin, a pivotal figure in modern French art, is clearly visible in this powerful late-career statement. This historically significant work is part of the distinguished collection of the National Gallery of Art, where it serves as a crucial document of early 20th-century artistic movements and the spread of Modernism outside of Europe. Because of its age and cultural importance, the artwork is frequently reproduced; high-quality prints and scholarly references to the piece are widely available. Given the work's classification and its creation date of 1903, the image is often considered historical and may soon enter the public domain in certain jurisdictions, further cementing its accessibility and enduring influence on subsequent generations of artists.