Artwork
Pleasures of Brittany (Joies de Bretagne)
Pleasures of Brittany (Joies de Bretagne) is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Paul Gauguin. It dates from 1889 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Pleasures of Brittany is a zinc lithograph on yellow wove paper created by Paul Gauguin in 1889. It is a print that showcases the artist's experimental approach to representation.
Subject & Meaning
The lithograph depicts three women in traditional Breton attire, standing together in a blurry landscape with a few trees and a small dog. The women's poses and the objects they carry, such as a basket or bundle, evoke a sense of everyday life in Brittany, a region that was a significant source of inspiration for Gauguin.
Technique & Style
The print is characterized by quick, sketchy lines and areas left blank, giving it a rough, unfinished appearance. The contrast between the dark figures and the yellow paper is striking, highlighting Gauguin's use of color to create visual tension. The work reflects Gauguin's Synthetist style and engagement with 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.
