Three People, a Mask, a Fox, and a Bird, headpiece for Le sourire

Three People, a Mask, a Fox, and a Bird, headpiece for Le sourire by Paul Gauguin (French, 1848-1903) is a powerful example of the artist’s late graphic output. Created in 1899, this highly stylized wood-block print in black ink on thin ivory laid Japanese paper showcases Gauguin's distinctive synthesis of symbolic imagery and raw technique. The work was specifically designed as a headpiece for Le sourire (The Smile), the satirical, self-published journal the artist produced while residing in Tahiti.

Gauguin, who often chafed against conventional European cultural constraints, embraced the materiality and expressive potential of the woodcut medium, particularly during his final years. The composition features starkly rendered, simplified forms: three human figures are depicted alongside a primal mask, a cunning fox, and a bird, all contained within the compact, horizontal framing required for the periodical. This juxtaposition of human and animalistic elements is characteristic of Gauguin’s Symbolist leanings and his exploration of non-Western spiritualism. The deliberate crudeness of the cuts and the dense application of ink amplify the emotional intensity of the scene.

As a print, the work was intended for mechanical reproduction and distribution, contrasting sharply with the unique nature of his monumental oil paintings. This classification provides essential insight into the creative and editorial efforts Gauguin undertook in 1899 to share his artistic vision from the South Pacific. The enduring importance of this piece, representing the cross-cultural artistic ferment occurring in France at the turn of the century, is underscored by its inclusion in the Art Institute of Chicago’s renowned collection of late 19th-century prints. Due to its age and historical significance, high-quality images of this Gauguin print are frequently available for study and reference in the public domain.