Gauguin, Paul – Cake Hermitage ~ part 04
Hermitage ~ part 04 – Gauguin, Paul - Cake
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Gauguin’s work represents something different from the usual realities. His paintings have an unconventional approach to color, lines, and saturation in general. This kind of approach to the works became the standout style of the artist. Another characteristic feature of Gauguin becomes a certain monumentality of his works. In other words - where, it would seem, the movement is inevitable, reigns peace and tranquility.
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Description of Paul Gauguin’s painting "Pie"
Gauguin’s work represents something different from the usual realities. His paintings have an unconventional approach to color, lines, and saturation in general. This kind of approach to the works became the standout style of the artist.
Another characteristic feature of Gauguin becomes a certain monumentality of his works. In other words - where, it would seem, the movement is inevitable, reigns peace and tranquility. The artist spoke of this as a way of connecting man to nature.
In all this there is a Gauguin protest, which can be justified if you get to know his life.
He was born into a decent journalist’s family, educated, traveled, then took a job in a bank in France, got a wife and children, of whom the artist had five. Later, Gauguin acquired a collection of paintings, which were the beginning of his creative path. It would seem that the standards of a bourgeois family are met. However, immediately after the passion for art, the artist leaves his job. Such a forced measure spoke of the seriousness of his intentions with regard to creativity. But the lack of work forced the man to fundamentally change his way of life. He leaves his wife and children in Copenhagen and leaves to wander, literally.
Speaking of the recognition of society, the artist achieved this only after his death. He devoted his life to paints and canvases, painting the world in his own way. One of the brightest examples of such works was the painting "Pie".
It is worth paying attention to the unnatural colors of the elements: earth, sky, water. Human silhouettes in the work are depicted in an ancient Egyptian way: here there is a simplification of lines, and the depiction of characters in profile and a bent arm often found in the drawings of Egypt. This can also include the unnaturalness of the poses. Such a vision of creativity and became the hallmark of Paul Gauguin, but only many years later.
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The artist employed a palette dominated by earthy tones – ochres, browns, and greens – which contribute to a sense of warmth and immediacy. The figures are rendered with simplified forms and flattened planes, eschewing detailed anatomical representation in favor of conveying an overall impression of physicality and presence. The brushwork is visible, adding texture and contributing to the painting’s expressive quality.
Behind the group, a panoramic view unfolds: a beach stretches towards a body of water, beyond which rise dark, volcanic mountains. A setting sun casts a warm glow on the horizon, creating a sense of tranquility and timelessness. The palm tree trunk positioned at the left edge frames the scene, drawing the viewer’s eye into the central action.
Subtleties within the image suggest layers of meaning beyond a simple depiction of daily life. The overturned boat, repurposed as a bed, hints at themes of resourcefulness and adaptation. The act of offering food or drink can be interpreted as symbolic of care, sustenance, and perhaps even ritualistic practice. The contrast in skin tones between the figures may allude to social dynamics or cultural differences within the depicted community.
The overall effect is one of idealized simplicity, evoking a sense of harmony between humanity and nature. However, the somewhat static poses and the lack of individualized expression in the faces also suggest a degree of distance and observation on the part of the artist, hinting at an outsider’s perspective on this seemingly idyllic scene. The painting seems to explore themes of community, sustenance, and the relationship between individuals and their environment, all filtered through a lens of stylized representation.