Artwork
Title Page for "Le Sourire" (Titre du Sourire)
Title Page for "Le Sourire" (Titre du Sourire) is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Paul Gauguin. It dates from 1899 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
The print 'Title Page for "Le Sourire" (Titre du Sourire)' is a woodcut on Japan paper created by Paul Gauguin in 1899. It showcases Gauguin's experimentation with printmaking techniques.
Subject & Meaning
The work features a central title 'Le Sourire' surrounded by swirling abstract shapes and lines, with small figures in the corners. The composition is characterized by bold, rough elements and a dynamic pattern.
Technique & Style
Gauguin employed a Synthetist style in this woodcut, distinct from Impressionism, with a grainy texture resulting from the woodcut process on Japan paper. The rough edges and carved title demonstrate his innovative approach to printmaking.
Context
This print reflects Gauguin's broader engagement with printmaking during this period, as he explored wood engraving and woodcuts to break away from traditional art forms.
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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