Artwork
In the Waves (Dans les Vagues)
In the Waves (Dans les Vagues) is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Paul Gauguin. It dates from 1895 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1895, *In the Waves (Dans les Vagues)* is an oil painting by Paul Gauguin, executed during the later phase of his Post‑Impressionist career. The work belongs to the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is displayed as an example of Gauguin’s exploration of color and form beyond the Impressionist idiom.
Subject & Meaning
The canvas depicts a solitary figure reclined on the water’s surface, arms outstretched, with a vivid red head contrasting against a pallid, softly blended torso. Surrounding the body, a dark green, undulating backdrop suggests rolling waves, evoking a sense of immersion and perhaps an ambiguous dialogue between humanity and the sea.
Technique & Style
Gauguin employs a pronounced impasto, allowing thick, tactile brushstrokes to define both the water and the skin of the figure. The palette combines saturated reds with muted greens and pale tones, reflecting his synthetist approach that emphasizes flat color areas and decorative patterning over naturalistic detail.
History & Provenance
After its completion, the painting entered the market in the early twentieth century before being acquired by the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it remains in the permanent collection. Its provenance traces a typical path for Gauguin’s late works, moving from private European collections to an American public institution.
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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.
