Title Page for "Le Sourire" (Titre du Sourire)

Title Page for "Le Sourire" (Titre du Sourire) by Paul Gauguin, created between 1899 and 1900, is a highly significant example of the artist's late graphic output and his complex relationship with both Tahitian culture and the European art world. This striking print, executed as a woodcut on fine Japan paper, served as the masthead for Gauguin's short-lived, self-published journal, Le Sourire (The Smile). Produced during the artist's second sojourn in Tahiti, the journal was a platform for him to critique colonial administration, disseminate his artistic ideas, and maintain a connection with a small circle of admirers in Paris.

Gauguin's decision to utilize the woodcut medium, rather than relying on more conventional printmaking techniques of the period, reflects his aesthetic interest in primitive forms and his rejection of academic polish. The technique employed during this period (1876 to 1900) is characterized by a deliberate roughness and simplification of line, often allowing the inherent texture and grain of the wood matrix to become visible elements of the composition. This raw, direct approach distinguishes his prints within the broader French Post-Impressionist movement. The image itself typically features symbolic motifs intertwined with hand-cut lettering, establishing the journal's unique, often anti-establishment tone.

The classification of the work as a major print highlights the importance of the graphic arts in communicating the ideas of modern French artists during the late nineteenth century. This woodcut is a vital piece of evidence demonstrating Gauguin's sustained commitment to printmaking as a means of personal expression and ideological communication late in his career. The work resides in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art. As a historic artwork, high-quality reproductions of these prints are frequently available through public domain initiatives, ensuring widespread access to the artist’s critical and creative legacy.