Gauguin and his Tahitian Muse

Known as Van Gogh’s friend for better or worse, Paul Gauguin met the Dutch artist on Van Gogh’s very first day in Paris. Over time, Paul convinced Vincent to take a studio in the South of France.  Lovers of the Impressionists and film should look out for ‘At Eternity’s Gate’ directed by the talented filmmaker and artist, Julian Schnabel.

Bored of Paris, Gauguin’s first trip took place in 1891 when he left France in search of a new life. He landed in Tahiti, a French colony in the South Pacific, a heavenly place that motivated him to create Primitive Art. This topical paradise inspired Gauguin to create several fantastic works with Mother Nature’s beauty, local life and enigmatic tanned women.

Look closely  at this painting ‘When will you marry?’. At the bottom you will see the Tahitian scripture signifying marriage. The main subject is the woman on the right (behind the young girl) whose name is Tehamana known as his model and mistress – she aged 13 and Gauguin 43.

Not just a typical painting of the artist’s muse, ‘When will you marry’ is a philosophical message of human existence and love in Symbolism. Gauguin was depicting a younger woman with the white flower as a symbol of innocence and desire for a spouse. The elder one, Tehamana, in the warning gesture due to her experiences in love. Simply put, the two women in the painting represent innocence and knowledge respectively.

‘When will you marry?’ was one of the most valuable of Gauguin’s paintings, recently selling for $300m.

Be transported to Tahiti. The Impressionists runs until 18 April at RCB Galleria on the 2nd floor. Tickets at  https://www.zipeventapp.com/e/theimpressionists or The Gallery Shop, 1st floor.