Gauguin (5) Paul Gauguin (1848-1903)

This iconic painting is a self-portrait of Paul Gauguin, created in 1889. The artwork is characterized by Gauguins distinctive style, employing bold colors and simplified forms. Gauguin himself is depicted with a dark, flowing mane of hair, a prominent mustache, and piercing eyes that suggest an introspective and perhaps melancholic gaze. His skin is rendered in warm tones, contrasting with the stark red background and a vibrant yellow garment that envelops him.
Adding to the symbolic richness of the portrait, Gauguin is adorned with a golden halo, elevating him to an almost saintly or divine status. This symbolism is further enhanced by the presence of a branch bearing three apples, two green and one red, hanging above his head on the right. These apples, in their placement and coloring, evoke religious and mythological associations, potentially nodding to themes of knowledge, temptation, or even the Fall of Man. The dark, sinuous lines that weave across the foreground could represent the artists inner turmoil, the complexities of his artistic journey, or the entanglement of lifes experiences. The signature in the lower left corner, 89, along with some scribbled marks below, serves as a clear indication of the paintings creation year and the artists indelible mark.