Gauguin (17) Paul Gauguin (1848-1903)

In this painting, Paul Gauguin depicts a scene in a lush, tropical landscape, likely Tahiti. Two young women are seated in the foreground. The woman on the left, with her eyes closed and head resting on her hand, seems pensive or possibly asleep. The woman on the right holds a red apple, looking towards an unseen observer. Their attire, consisting of white off-the-shoulder tops and vibrant red skirts, is characteristic of Gauguins stylized representations of indigenous peoples.

Behind them, a wider scene unfolds. A naked figure, possibly a woman, sits by a body of water, with another figure in a white cloth standing nearby. Further in the background, a group of figures are seen in a clearing, some appearing to be dancing or engaged in activity. The landscape is rich with color, featuring a muddy green expanse, water with reflections of red and orange, and a backdrop of stylized, rounded hills and palm trees under a warm, yellow-orange sky. Bold, flat colors and strong outlines are prominent features of Gauguins post-impressionistic style.

The painting is titled Nave Nave Moe, which roughly translates from Tahitian to Sacred Sleep or Idyllic Rest. This title, along with the visual elements, suggests subtexts related to:

• Paradise and Exoticism: Gauguin sought to escape Western civilization and its perceived decadence, finding inspiration in what he considered a more primitive and spiritual existence in Tahiti. The idyllic setting, the uninhibited figures, and the vibrant colors aim to evoke a sense of paradise, untouched by modernity.
• Spirituality and Symbolism: The women, especially the one holding the apple, can be interpreted through a lens of symbolism. The apple might allude to the biblical story of Adam and Eve and the temptation or knowledge, but within a non-Christian context. Gauguin often infused his works with mystical and spiritual undertones, exploring themes of life, death, and the sacred.
• Sensuality and the Feminine: The depiction of the women, with their relaxed poses and bare shoulders, carries a sense of natural sensuality. Gauguin was fascinated by the female form and often portrayed Tahitian women as embodying a natural, almost primal, beauty and connection to their environment.
• Mourning or Contemplation: The resting woman and the title Sacred Sleep could also suggest a more introspective interpretation, hinting at themes of melancholy, dream states, or a farewell to a past way of life.
• Cultural Otherness: Gauguins portrayal, while intended to be reverent of Tahitian culture, also reflects his outsider perspective. The figures are stylized and somewhat exoticized, presenting a noble savage ideal that has been critiqued for its romanticized and potentially objectifying gaze upon indigenous people.

The overall impression is one of a dreamlike, semi-religious scene that invites contemplation on themes of innocence, paradise, spirituality, and the allure of the exotic.