Artwork
Still Life with Mangoes and a Hibiscus Flower
Still Life with Mangoes and a Hibiscus Flower is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Paul Gauguin. It dates from 1894 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Created in 1894, this oil painting presents a compact still‑life composition of tropical fruit and a single flower.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1894, this oil painting presents a compact still‑life composition of tropical fruit and a single flower. A modest table supports a plate bearing several mangoes and a vase holding a hibiscus, all set against a muted gray backdrop. The work belongs to the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston.
Subject & Meaning
The arrangement juxtaposes the warm tones of ripe mangoes with the vivid red and green of the hibiscus, suggesting a celebration of exotic abundance. By isolating these elements, the artist invites contemplation of color and form rather than narrative, allowing the objects to convey symbolic resonance through their striking visual contrast.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil, the painting employs flat, unmodulated color planes characteristic of Gauguin’s Synthetist approach. Bold, saturated hues are set against a cool, neutral background, creating a clear separation between foreground and space. The brushwork emphasizes surface texture while the composition is organized with a deliberate, almost geometric balance.
History & Provenance
The canvas entered the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, as part of its early 20th‑century acquisitions of Post‑Impressionist works. Since its accession, the painting has been displayed in the museum’s European paintings galleries, contributing to the institution’s representation of late‑19th‑century French avant‑garde art.
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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.
