Haystacks in Brittany
1890
Paul Gauguin traded the bustling streets of Paris for the rugged coast of Brittany, and the result is this striking, almost dreamlike rural scene. Notice how the massive, blocky haystacks dominate the landscape, dwarfing the cows and the traditionally dressed Breton woman tending to them in the foreground. Painted in 1890 during his Symbolist phase, Gauguin flattens the perspective and uses bold, distinct patches of color to evoke a mood rather than just capture reality. It’s a perfect example of how he was moving away from strict Impressionism toward a more emotional, stylized way of seeing the world.
- Technique
- Oil on canvas
Location: National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C.
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