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.
About this work
Overview
Manao Tupapau (She is Haunted by a Spirit) is a 1894 color woodcut print by Paul Gauguin, executed in brown and black on Japanese paper.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a dark figure reclining on a white surface, accompanied by a smaller dark form, set against a black background with faint tree or branch outlines. The title suggests a narrative involving a ghost or spirit haunting the subject.
Technique & Style
Gauguin's use of bold color and rough, sketchy lines in Manao Tupapau reflects his experimentation with woodcuts and development of a Synthetist style, characterized by emphasis on symbolic meaning.
Context
The work showcases Gauguin's interest in non-Western art and spiritual themes, aligning with his contributions to Post-Impressionism and Symbolism.
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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