Noa Noa (Fragrant), from the Noa Noa Suite 1893 - 1894

"Noa Noa (Fragrant)" is a woodcut from the "Noa Noa" suite created by Paul Gauguin in 1893-1894. This print, currently housed in the Art Institute of Chicago, depicts two Tahitian women in a lush tropical setting. Gauguin's bold lines and simplified forms convey the exotic beauty of Tahiti and its people. This artwork is a prime example of Gauguin's "primitive" style, influenced by his fascination with non-Western cultures and his desire to break away from traditional European art. The use of woodcut further emphasizes the "primitive" aesthetic, capturing the essence of Tahitian life through simplified, yet expressive forms.