What movement is A Maori Woman in a Forest; Manao Tupapau (She is Haunted by a Spirit)?

A Maori Woman in a Forest; Manao Tupapau (She is Haunted by a Spirit) is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

A Maori Woman in a Forest; Manao Tupapau (She is Haunted by a Spirit)

A Maori Woman in a Forest; Manao Tupapau (She is Haunted by a Spirit) is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Paul Gauguin. It dates from 1894 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

This woodcut, created by Paul Gauguin in 1894, is a trial proof in black ink, showcasing the artist's experimentation with printmaking techniques.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a Maori woman lying in a dense forest, surrounded by twisted tree roots and branches, with a faint structure visible in the background. The title 'Manao Tupapau' suggests the woman is haunted by a spirit, reflecting Gauguin's interest in non-Western subjects and spiritual themes.

Technique & Style

Gauguin's use of sharp lines and rough texture emphasizes the organic, uneven quality of the forest environment, while the bold, simplified forms characteristic of his style are evident in the woman's wrapped body and the surrounding foliage.

Artist & collection

Artist

Paul Gauguin

Eugène Henri Paul Gauguin (; French: ; 7 June 1848 – 8 May 1903) was a French painter, sculptor, printmaker, ceramist, and writer, whose work has been primarily associated with the Post-Impressionist and Symbolist movements.