Paul Gauguin - When Will You Marry (1892)
Size - 40 in x 30 in
Medium - Oil on Canvas
Paul Gauguin was a French post-impressionist who travelled to Tahiti in the 1890s with the intention of reviving his work by adapting to a society he believed to be free of Western influence.
The creation is very colorful — a mix of vibrant yellows, reds, greens, and blues. The painting shows two Tahitian women seated on the ground. They look in different directions, and neither appears to be looking at the painter. The figure of the woman in the foreground is vibrant; she is resting one hand while leaning forward, seemingly about to rise and leave. Her clothes are free-flowing, embodying a spirit of liberation that the artist saw in the culture. Her eyes glance toward the woman behind her; she has a slight pout in her mouth which suggests a rift between the two. Her garments are distinctly Western and she sits upright, her pose very prim. She too glances at her companion from the corner of her eyes with an expression of disapproval.
The appearances of the two portray an inviting posture signaling a certain degree of openness, which clashes with the stern and forbidding nature of the other. The surrounding landscape in this painting is diverse — there are plenty of trees, water, and mountains. The first woman's attire harmonizes flawlessly with the landscape, while the latter woman's garment causes her to stand out, portraying conflict within the scenery. There are two figures in the distance; it is unclear who they are — whether they are men or waiting for these women.
The painting clearly portrays the contrast between two cultures — the free-spirited lady in the flowing garments has broken free of the mentality of a woman as a homemaker that commonly marked Western society in the past. The other, in the background, brings the traditional Western values of the 19th century. The white daisy on the woman may symbolize that she is in the prime of her youth, ready for marriage, while the other woman has her hand raised in question. It is unclear if the women represent the clash between cultures as explained, or simply an illustration of two different attitudes.
It is said that Paul Gauguin visited Tahiti in search of a paradise where he could create primitive art by escaping European society, technology, and cultural traditions. But it did not meet his expectation of rural and primitive life, as the country had been colonized as early as the 18th century. This painting was created in 1892, during his stay with a young girl as he adapted to local life. Through his paintings, we see that he did find inspiration in Tahiti — his creativity and expressive nature are fine examples of this. This painting was also sold for a staggering $300 million recently and was purchased by a Swiss art collector.
