Who painted The Universe is Created (L'Univers est cree)?

The Universe is Created (L'Univers est cree) was painted by Paul Gauguin in 1894.

Where can I see The Universe is Created (L'Univers est cree)?

The Universe is Created (L'Univers est cree) is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is The Universe is Created (L'Univers est cree)?

The Universe is Created (L'Univers est cree) is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

The Universe is Created (L'Univers est cree)

Paul Gauguin , 1894

The Universe is Created (L'Univers est cree) 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

The Universe is Created (L'Univers est cree) is a color woodcut print created by Paul Gauguin around 1894. It exemplifies the artist's experimentation with printmaking and bold, symbolic imagery.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a dark, turbulent scene with a woman on the ground and clawed hands reaching down from above, surrounded by swirling shapes and lines. The imagery is abstract and open to interpretation, reflecting Gauguin's use of symbolic and suggestive forms.

Technique & Style

Gauguin used the woodcut technique to create the print, carving shapes into wood and applying ink to produce bold, flat colors and sharp edges. This approach aligns with his Synthetist style and broader engagement with printmaking as an art form.

Context

The print reflects Gauguin's later career focus on simplified forms and symbolic imagery, characteristic of his Post-Impressionist and Symbolist work.

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.