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Arlesiennes (Mistral)
- Original dimensions
- 920 x 730 cm
- Museum
- Art Institute of Chicago
- Year
- 1888
Scene depicted
In this painting , Gauguin captures Arlesian women, elegantly dressed, walking gracefully under the strong wind of the Mistral. It is a vibrant representation, where each figure tells a story of daily life, traditions, and community. The composition breathes life, evoking the natural beauty of Provence, while offering a deeper vision of the identity of women from southern France.
Historical context
Created in 1888, in the heart of sunny Provence, the painting Arlésiennes (Mistral) is part of the post impressionist movement, a current where visual emotion takes precedence over reality. Within this region rich in colors and light, Gauguin merges the real and the dream, producing a canvas revealing human encounters and established traditions. Currently, this painting rests at the Art Institute of Chicago , keeping its majesty intact in a space where history mingles with art.
Place in the artist's career
This painting marks a turning point in Gauguin's career, between his promising beginnings and the refinement of his unique style. In this regard, it can be paralleled with works such as Vision of the Twelve Apostles and The Tahitians , thus illustrating his journey towards expressionism , where vibrant forms and colors dominate as artistic language.
Anecdote
“Life expresses itself through the colors and voices of people.” Such could be a thought of Gauguin inspired by a bright morning in an alley of Arles. At the moment of creating this masterpiece , Gauguin felt the breath of the Mistral, sweeping away preconceived ideas, while the Arlesian faces, imbued with rustic beauty and wisdom, led him to immortalize their essence on the canvas .