The Universe is Created (L'Univers est créé) c. 1894

"The Universe is Created" (L'Univers est créé) is a woodcut by the French Post-Impressionist artist Paul Gauguin, created around 1894. Gauguin was a pivotal figure in the development of modern art, and his work is characterized by its bold colors, simplified forms, and symbolist themes. "The Universe is Created" is a visually striking work that reflects Gauguin's fascination with the mysteries of the universe and the power of nature. The scene depicts a mythical creation event, with a nude figure emerging from the primordial waters, as a celestial body with swirling, star-like forms looms in the background. The woodcut's rich and textured surface, achieved through the application of color to the woodblock, adds to its dramatic impact and evokes the sense of awe and wonder inspired by the universe's creation.