The Rider, created by Paul Gauguin in 1902, is a distinctive example of his late-career experimentation with graphic arts. Classified as a print, the work utilizes the highly specialized process of gouache monotype touched with gum or varnish on laid paper. This technique allowed Gauguin to achieve unique tonal variations and a textural richness that blurred the line between painting and printmaking. This piece belongs to Gauguin’s final, profoundly influential French period, dating from 1901 to 1925, during which he focused intensely on subjects drawn from his life in the Marquesas Islands.
Gauguin developed the monotype as a means of translating the luminous color and saturated atmosphere of his oil paintings into unique graphic objects. Unlike standard edition prints, a monotype results in a single impression. The combination of dense gouache and the application of gum or varnish grants the work a mysterious depth, fitting the Symbolist aspirations of the artist. The image typically depicts an isolated figure on horseback, a recurring motif in Gauguin’s Tahitian and Marquesan compositions, often symbolizing themes of journey, isolation, or the mythology of the South Seas. The powerful silhouette of the rider dominates the composition.
This specific print reveals Gauguin’s continued commitment to Symbolist ideology, utilizing simplified forms and non-naturalistic color to evoke spiritual or emotional states rather than merely documenting reality. The technical demands of the monotype process required the artist to work quickly, lending the resulting composition a spontaneity often absent in his more rigidly planned paintings. Works like The Rider cemented the artist’s reputation as a key figure of the Post-Impressionist movement. Despite being created while Gauguin was physically isolated in the Pacific, the circulation of these graphic works helped maintain his critical presence in Europe. Today, this unique example of graphic experimentation resides in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art.
Important: ArtBee makes no warranties about the copyright status of this artwork. To the best of our knowledge, based on information from the source museum, we believe this work is in the public domain.
You are responsible for determining the rights status and securing any permissions needed for your use. Copyright status may vary by jurisdiction. See our License & Usage page and Terms of Service for details.