Tahiti

967 Words4 Pages
Phrase d’accroche /Technique/Material A depiction of heaven on earth, Ia Orana Maria « We hail thee Mary » stands within the traditions of Christian themed paintings. Painted in 1893, this picturesque oil painting on canvas, it is often classified as a post-Impressionnist painting. The artist First trip to Tahiti in 1891 Paul Gauguin’s trip to Tahiti is often described as an escape from Europe, as stated in a letter to his son Lucien in May 1883: “England, like France, is rotten to the core, she knows only one art, the art of throwing sand in your eyes.” Looking for new untainted inspiration, Gauguin set out to Tahiti. However the tropical paradise he seeked proved not to be free of European influence since Tahiti was a French colony since…show more content…
Over the years, different theories regarding the painting’s ultimate meaning have been discussed and two interpretations seem to be most usually studied. On one hand the Annunciation, with the golden-winged angel representing the Archangel Gabriel foretelling the birth of Jesus to Mary, despite the presence of Christ in the painting. On the other hand, the Adoration, depicting the birth of baby Jesus with the Sheperds paying their tribute, again, here missing the sheep in the painting. Although different in their nature, both interpretations are recurrent Christian themes, which have been explored numerous times through painting history in Europe. Altogether, it is widely acknowledged that Paul Gauguin’s subject choice was one to be accessible since Virgin’s Mary caring and motherly figure is universal. “No image permeates Christian art as much as the image of the Madonna and child.” (The Celebration of Faith: The Virgin Mary by Alexander Schmemann 2001 ISBN 0-88141-141-8 page…show more content…
This painting was among the few others from the same collection Gauguin was able to sell. Part of this painting’s success can be attributed to the Christian theme and symbols used as well as the color scheme which may have been deemed refreshing in the 19th century Parisian art scene. Critics: Thesis [See Reference file, quotes need to be selected as some are too long and/or redundant] Antithesis [See Reference file, quotes need to be selected as some are too long and/or redundant] Synthesis: Far more likely is the possibility that Gauguin did not claim his art to be an accurate representation -even though it might have been considered as “realistic” by French people who had never travelled to Tahiti-: “Painting is the most beautiful of all arts. In it, all sensations are condensed; contemplating it, everyone can create a story at the will of his imagination and-with a single glance-have his soul invaded by the most profound recollections; no effort of memory, everything is summed up in one instant. -A complete art which sums up all the others and completes
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