Parau Api (WhatS New) Paul Gauguin (1848-1903)

Description of Paul Gauguin’s painting Women of Tahiti

The story of this painting began back in 1891, when Paul Gauguin decided to make an auction of his works, and with the proceeds, decided to travel to an island called Tahiti.

It was on this island that the next series of paintings by Gauguin began. He was very disappointed in the French colonial system and so he went to the very depths of the island, which was less exposed to civilization and its beginnings.

During this period a number of paintings were painted, which were quite successfully appreciated by the critics of all times, but soon Gauguin was forced to leave back for the French capital, because he was sick and money was catastrophically lacking. Two years later, he returns and begins his work. The painting shows the image of two women, who despite everything are in harmony with nature, who are in their paradise on earth and do not worry about civilization and the changing world around them in this regard. This work describes the ideal life of these girls, which does not depend on space or time.

The work is similar to the frieze compositions of the decorative plan. There is not a hint of a smile on the faces of these girls, but that does not mean at all that they are not happy, most likely they do not know what it is. They are dressed in national clothes and in all likelihood are just resting, not thinking about something high and eternal.

That is the beauty of such a picture, capturing these two young ladies in the everyday moment of their lives. Thanks to such originality, with this painting the viewer can penetrate the life and environment as it really is, sad, without frills, but a little strange, relative to the viewer’s position.