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Lot Essay
To be included in the new edition of the Paul Gauguin catalogue raisonée being prepared by Daniel Wildenstein with the collaboration of Douglas Cooper for the paintings, under the sponsorship of the Wildenstein Institute.
This work was executed circa 1890 during his stay in the Breton area of Pont-Aven and the surrounding area. Pont-Aven was a haven for artists since the cost of living was low, and the willingness of the Breton people to wear their local dress provided a ready source of artistic inspiration. By this time Gauguin had broken with his former Impressionist friends and he referred to them as 'the others'. His artistic style was becoming increasingly 'symbolist' and the present work displays an almost graphic quality. Gauguin had only recently returned from Martinique and the powerful figural outlines of the present work display a consciously primitive style which he had developed during this period.
This work was executed circa 1890 during his stay in the Breton area of Pont-Aven and the surrounding area. Pont-Aven was a haven for artists since the cost of living was low, and the willingness of the Breton people to wear their local dress provided a ready source of artistic inspiration. By this time Gauguin had broken with his former Impressionist friends and he referred to them as 'the others'. His artistic style was becoming increasingly 'symbolist' and the present work displays an almost graphic quality. Gauguin had only recently returned from Martinique and the powerful figural outlines of the present work display a consciously primitive style which he had developed during this period.