Portrait of Louis Roy 1893

Paul Gauguin captured this oil on canvas portrait of Louis Roy sometime during his career, against a backdrop that hints at Gauguin's own artistic explorations. Gauguin, who lived from 1848 to 1903, painted during a time of massive social change and colonial expansion, and was personally trying to situate himself in relation to it. Roy’s direct gaze and somewhat melancholic expression, set against Gauguin's post-impressionistic style, evokes a sense of introspection. Gauguin was wrestling with representing identity, as he later stated: "I shut my eyes in order to see and understand properly." The background alludes to Gauguin's fascination with non-Western cultures. He left France for Tahiti in search of an uncorrupted "primitive" inspiration, reflecting his deep dissatisfaction with European society. Through his portraits, Gauguin captures the emotional and psychological dimensions of his subjects, while grappling with the complexities of cultural exchange and representation. Gauguin challenges us to reflect on how we perceive others and ourselves across different cultures.