Where can I see Volpini Suite: Martinique Pastoral (Pastorales Martinique)?

Volpini Suite: Martinique Pastoral (Pastorales Martinique) is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Volpini Suite: Martinique Pastoral (Pastorales Martinique)?

Volpini Suite: Martinique Pastoral (Pastorales Martinique) is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Volpini Suite: Martinique Pastoral (Pastorales Martinique)

Volpini Suite: Martinique Pastoral (Pastorales Martinique) is a print by the Impressionist artist Paul Gauguin. It dates from 1889 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Paul Gauguin's *Volpini Suite: Martinique Pastoral (Pastorales Martinique)*, created in 1889, is a zincograph from a series that showcases his experimentation with Post-Impressionist and Symbolist techniques. Characterized by bold forms and symbolic elements, this print exemplifies Gauguin's Synthetist style.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a serene tropical scene, likely inspired by Gauguin's experiences in Martinique. A robed figure with a staff approaches a group under a tree, set against a vibrant, roughly textured landscape. The composition suggests a contemplative or everyday life scene from the Caribbean island.

Technique & Style

Executed in a loose, sketchy manner reminiscent of quick drawings, the work features bold outlines, simple yet lively figures, and expressive jagged lines for trees. This approach aligns with Gauguin's Synthetist emphasis on flat, two-dimensional forms and emotive simplification.

History & Provenance

Created in 1889 as part of the *Volpini Suite*, this zincograph is one of Gauguin's works from a period of intense travel and artistic innovation. Specific provenance details are not provided.

Context

Part of Gauguin's broader oeuvre influenced by travels to diverse locales, *Martinique Pastoral* reflects his interest in capturing the essence of places like Martinique, where he drew inspiration from the local landscape and life.

Legacy

As a piece from the *Volpini Suite*, it contributes to Gauguin's legacy in Post-Impressionism and Symbolism, highlighting his role in pushing the boundaries of color, composition, and expressive content in late 19th-century art.

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.