Cavalli
1890-1903
Escaping the stifling art world of Europe, Gauguin fled to the South Pacific and started carving woodblocks with a raw, primitive energy. In this print, titled 'Horses' but featuring the prominent word 'SOURIRE' (French for 'smile'), a rustic scene of a figure and animals floats above swirling, abstract shapes. The stark black ink creates a high-contrast, almost ancient look that fits his Symbolist style perfectly. It’s a visual puzzle—why 'smile' amidst such jagged, dark forms?—reflecting the complex life of an artist searching for a paradise that was often more dream than reality.
- Technique
- Woodcut