Gauguin: Metamophoses...
3:39 p.m.
Metamorphoses. Under that title, New York's MoMA is presenting a very singular Paul Gauguin exhibition. The term metamorphoses is chosen to explain the changes in Gauguin's imagery as he shifted from one technique to the other.
In other words, the Gauguin (1848-1903) we discover is that artist eager to cross the limits of tradition, because an image originally done in oil on canvas is then transfered into a drawing or engraving, and later in to a wood carving or ceramic sculpture, resulting in works quite different from the original.
This process is similar to what artist Jasper John stated about his very own creative process: “Take the object. Do something to it. And then do something more...” This concept was followed by many artists by the end of the 20th and the beginning of the 21st century.
This process is similar to what artist Jasper John stated about his very own creative process: “Take the object. Do something to it. And then do something more...” This concept was followed by many artists by the end of the 20th and the beginning of the 21st century.
Gauguin's wooden carvings of the 19th century are now having a very positive response in the art market. In fact, at the Maastricht Fair, one of his three carved shoes, done by the artist in 1889, was sold for half a million dollars.
But back to the MoMA exhibition, most of the works on display were done during his stay in Tahiti. Of the 170 works taking part of the exhibition, there are only 11 paintings and all of them of the women of the island.
But back to the MoMA exhibition, most of the works on display were done during his stay in Tahiti. Of the 170 works taking part of the exhibition, there are only 11 paintings and all of them of the women of the island.
Fatata te miti (By the Sea), by Paul Gauguin (1892)
Technique: oil on canvas - MoMA
Although Gauguin longed for a Paradise far away from Paris where to live in total freedom, he still needed to sell his paintings. So he often modified the features of the local faces and their costumes to adapt them to the European ways.
Two Tahitian Women, by Paul Gauguin (1899)
Technique: oil on canvas / Measures: 94 x 72,4 cm - MoMA
Was the beautiful nude belonging to the MNBA's collection also part of that process of metamorphoses? According to the Museum, the painting, done in Mataiea, was based in a color drawing from the artist's sketch book.
Vahine no te miti (Mujer del mar), by Paul Gauguin (1892)
Technique: oil on canvas / Measures 92,5 x 74 cm - MNBA
The MNBA explains that, in Vahine no te miti, the uncomfortable position of the arms and legs give the back a particular characteristic, with similarities to antique sculpture. We might conclude then that possibly the women sat in more comfortable positions, but not aesthetically enough for the artist. If we guide ourselves by the concept of metamorphoses suggested by the MoMA, that painting could have been taken to another medium and result in the following work, years later, now on display at the exhibition.
Tahitian woman seen from the back, by Paul Gauguin (c. 1901-1902)
Technique: etching with crayon
Private collection, on loan for the exhibition at the MoMA
"Gauguin: Metamorfoses" is an unusual exhibition for a museum like the MoMA. It's mainly an extensive array of works, presented in a simple and aesthetically unchallenging way. It wants to place the artist under the spotlight and help us understand the origins of the changes that have affected the History of Art and what was considered an Academic convention.
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