Artwork
Te Faruru (They are Making Love Here)
Te Faruru (They are Making Love Here) 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
Te Faruru (They are Making Love Here) is a 1894 woodcut by Paul Gauguin, created in brown. It is a print that showcases the artist's experimental approach to form and medium.
Subject & Meaning
The woodcut depicts two entwined figures, their bodies merging into a single shape. The title suggests an intimate moment, but the blurred forms and dark background obscure specific details, leaving interpretation open.
Technique & Style
Gauguin's use of sharp lines and shadows creates a moody atmosphere, prioritizing emotional resonance over realistic representation. The woodcut technique allows for expressive, non-naturalistic rendering of the scene.
Context
The work reflects Gauguin's engagement with Symbolist and Synthetist movements, as well as his interest in Polynesian culture. It exemplifies his departure from Impressionist ideals of naturalistic light and detail.
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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Manao Tupapau (She is Haunted by a Spirit)
Fin de rêve
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