Artwork
Manao Tupapau (She is Haunted by a Spirit)
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. Created in 1894, *Manao Tupapau* is a color woodcut executed on Japanese paper.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1894, *Manao Tupapau* is a color woodcut executed on Japanese paper. The work presents a reclining Tahitian woman, partially concealed by a dark blanket, set against a stark background of orange foliage and a faint architectural silhouette. The composition relies on bold contrasts of black, yellow, and orange, rendered in simplified, strong shapes.
Subject & Meaning
The image portrays a solitary figure lying on a yellow mat, suggesting a moment of rest or vulnerability. A spectral presence hovers behind her, evoking themes of haunting and the unseen, which align with the title’s reference to a spirit. The juxtaposition of the domestic scene with the ethereal figure invites contemplation of the boundary between the material and the spiritual.
Technique & Style
Gauguin employed the traditional woodcut process: a design was incised into a wooden block, inked, and then pressed onto Japanese paper. The method, popular in Japan at the time, allowed for flat areas of vivid color and sharp edges. The print reflects Gauguin’s interest in Synthetist principles, emphasizing decorative color fields and simplified forms over realistic detail.
History & Provenance
The work originates from Gauguin’s stay in Tahiti, where he sought inspiration from indigenous culture and non‑Western artistic traditions. After its creation, the print entered European collections, contributing to the artist’s reputation for integrating exotic subjects with avant‑garde print techniques.
Context
During the 1890s, European artists were increasingly drawn to Japanese prints, a phenomenon known as Japonisme. Gauguin’s adoption of the woodcut medium reflects this fascination, while his choice of Tahitian subject matter underscores his broader quest to escape Western conventions and explore primitive motifs.
Artist & collection
Artist
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.
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