Two Standing Tahitian Women

The complex and experimental work Two Standing Tahitian Women was created by Paul Gauguin French, 1848-1903, in 1894. Although classified broadly within the Painting category, this piece is a unique and highly innovative hybrid monotype, exemplifying Gauguin’s relentless exploration of printmaking techniques during his time in the South Pacific.

Gauguin employed a multi-layered process that gave the image its distinctive depth and texture. The process began with a watercolor monotype pulled from a paper matrix, establishing the groundwork of color. Over this base, the artist layered a black ink monotype printed from a glass matrix, achieving rich tonal variation and defining the figures of the two Tahitian women. The technique is further distinguished by subtle touches of metallic oil-based media applied to the surface, which enhance the luminosity of the figures against their environment.

The final composition was pulled onto thin cream Japanese paper, subsequently laid down onto a heavier cream wove paper, echoing the sophisticated print traditions being newly appreciated by Western artists in France during the late 19th century. The subject matter reflects Gauguin’s enduring fascination with the culture and inhabitants of Tahiti, depicting a stylized and often romanticized vision of non-Western life prevalent in Post-Impressionist circles.

This meticulous and labor-intensive process, bridging painting and prints, helped redefine the artistic expectations of the period. This seminal work is a significant holding in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, illustrating Gauguin’s experimental spirit and enduring impact on modern art.