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Apatarao (District of Papeete)
- Original dimensions
- 54 x 49 cm
- Museum
- Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek
- Year
- 1893
Scene depicted
This painting is a poetic evocation of the picturesque landscapes of Polynesia, revealing lives woven with vibrant colors and harmony. Through a balanced composition, Gauguin makes lights and shadows dance, turning this canvas into a mirror of local culture, while revealing a fragile beauty, a source of wonder and reflection.
Historical context
Created in 1893, this painting emerges in a vibrant Papeete, the cradle of the post-impressionist movement. At the heart of French Polynesia, the painting captures the colors and atmosphere of an era marked by exploration and the quest for pure beauty. Today, this painting is housed in the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek , offering a precious glimpse into this unforgettable rich period of artistic history.
Place in the artist's career
Apatarao (District of Papeete) stands as a crucial step in Gauguin's evolution, representing his stylistic renewal in contact with Polynesian nature. This painting , with its chromatic richness, dialogues with works such as "Vision after the Sermon" and "Nafea Faa Ipoipo", exploring the transition from traditional art to a celebration of the imaginary.
Anecdote
“My canvas is my voice, it sings the forgotten landscapes.” Echoing in the sounds of Papeete, this quote captures the very essence of the genesis of this masterpiece . Imagine a bright morning, the fresh air filled with exotic floral scents, where the artist, inspired by the simplicity of an alley, marvels at a world to be rediscovered through his painting .