Sketches of Figures, Hands, and Feet (related to the painting Aha oe feii? [What! Are You Jealous?]) 1891 - 1893

Paul Gauguin made these Sketches of Figures, Hands, and Feet in preparation for his painting 'Aha oe feii? [What! Are You Jealous?]'. Gauguin was a central figure in the Post-Impressionist movement in France, but later in life he became disillusioned with European society and sought refuge in Tahiti, where he believed he could find a more authentic and primitive way of life. Of course, Tahiti had already been colonized and so his vision of it was more fantasy than fact. In this drawing, we see Gauguin working out the composition of his painting, experimenting with different poses and gestures. It allows us to understand the artist’s social context, how he appropriated the culture of others, and his desire to critique western institutions. To better understand Gauguin, we need to examine historical documents, letters, and critical analyses of his work. This helps us understand the complex relationship between art, society, and the institutions that shape our understanding of both.