An artwork on Galleree from Minneapolis Institute of Art.
About the artwork
Tahitian Landscape1891
Artist: Paul Gauguin
French, 1848 - 1903
Nabi. Landscape in tropical and subtropical region: Tahiti
26 3/4 x 36 3/8 in. (67.95 x 92.39 cm) (canvas)
37 1/8 x 47 x 3 3/4 in. (94.3 x 119.38 x 9.53 cm) (outer frame)
Oil on canvas
Painting
France
19th century
The Julius C. Eliel Memorial Fund
In 1891, an artist by the name of Paul Gauguin yearned for a life far removed from the clamor and constraints of European civilization. Cloaked in the weight of his disillusionment, he sought solace and inspiration in the sun-drenched paradise of Tahiti. For him, this lush island was more than just a destination; it was a sanctuary, a canvas waiting to be filled with the vibrant pulse of unrefined beauty.
As he stepped onto the warm, golden sands of the South Seas, he felt the electric whisper of the tropical air and the gentle embrace of the sea, urging him to create. The first brushstrokes he laid down captured the essence of this new world; his canvas came alive with the sinuous contours of the landscape, flowing like the rolling waves caressing the shore. Gauguin’s eyes drank in the intense colors surrounding him—deep emerald greens, fiery oranges, and serene blues—each hue a reflection of the joy and serenity that thrummed beneath the surface of his art.
Tahiti quickly blossomed into his home, wrapping its vibrant arms around him and becoming the backdrop to his life for the last twelve years. Gauguin’s artistic expression was a passionate endeavor to convey what he experienced: “a luxurious and untamed nature.” He wanted to capture the tropical sun as it cast its golden glow upon everything, illuminating the grandeur, depth, and mystery that permeated this paradise. Each piece he created was more than just a painting; it was his attempt to infuse a single square meter of canvas with the palpable spirit of Tahiti—a tribute to nature’s splendor and the solace it provided him.
In the tranquil sanctuary of his newfound home, he painted not only for the world but for his own quest for meaning, transforming the light and life of Tahiti into vibrant tales woven onto canvas.
About the artist
Inspiring wonder through the power of art. The Minneapolis Institute of Art enriches the community by collecting, preserving, and making accessible outstanding works of art from the world’s diverse cultures.
The artworks shared on this platform are sourced from the museum's Open Access data under the CC0 license. No endorsement is implied.
Address: 2400 Third Avenue South Minneapolis, Minnesota 55404
The best place to view Minneapolis Institute of Art‘s artwork is on Galleree. Hear the story behind this work, interact with the image, discuss with people, curate your own playlists, and discover so much more from great artists and institutions alike.