1950s After "What Are We?" by Paul Gauguin, Boho Chic First Edition Vintage Print

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A Boho Chic style vintage First Edition full-color print, depicting detail N2 from Post Impressionist painting "Where Do We Come … Read more A Boho Chic style vintage First Edition full-color print, depicting detail N2 from Post Impressionist painting "Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going?" by Paul Gauguin. Comes from a First Limited Edition art folio published in the 1950s. Printed on one side. Hand tipped-in on a board of heavy paper. Information regarding the original artwork is printed under the plate. Detailed. Beautiful colors. Excellent condition - never framed.

Overall 10.90"W x 14.55"H
Image 7.95"W x 10.20"H

In December 1897, Gauguin could no longer stand the life of intermittent sickness and increasing debt he was leading in Tahiti. he resolved to kill himself, but before doing so he decided to draw upon all his remaining strength to paint a last important composition. He himself has told in great detail the story of this work:

"To the right, the in the lower right corner, a sleeping child and three seated women. Two figures dressed in purple confide their thoughts to one another. An enormous crouching figure (see Detail N3 "What Are We?"), out of all proportion, and intentionally so, raises its arm and stares in astonishment upon these two who dare think of their destiny. A figure in the corner in picking a fruit. Two cats near a child. A white goat. An idol (see Detail N1 "Where Do We Come From?"), its arms mysteriously and rythmically raised seems to indicate the Beyond. A crouching girl [Gauguin's "wife" Pahura"] seems to listen to the idol. Lastly, an old woman nearing death appears to accept everything, to resign herself to her thoughts. She completes the story. At her feet a strange white bird... represents the futility of words.

"The scene is one on the bank or a small river in the woods. In the background the ocean, and beyond it the mountains of a neighboring island. Despite changes of tone, the coloring of the landscape is constant throughout: blue and Veronese green. The naked figures stand out on it in bold orange.

"If anyone should say to the pupils of the Ecole des Beaux-Arts competing for the Rome prize, "The picture you must paint is to represent "Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going? what would they do? I have finished a philosophical work of this theme... I think it is good."

We currently have in stock 3 lithographs depicting 3 details of the large painting. Please let us know if you would like to purchase all 3 to receive a better price and combined shipping. See less