Self-Portrait Dedicated to Carrière c. 1888 - 1889

Paul Gauguin painted this self-portrait using oil on canvas, a conventional choice for the time. But look closely, and you'll see how Gauguin transforms this traditional medium through his distinctive approach. He applies the paint in thick, visible strokes, building up layers of color to create a textured surface. The way he handles the oil paint – its viscosity, its capacity to be layered and blended – allows him to create a sense of depth and luminosity. The materiality of the paint itself becomes a key element of the artwork. Gauguin’s interest in surface texture and vibrant color stems from his time in Pont-Aven and later Tahiti, where he sought to embrace so-called "primitive" artistic traditions. Ultimately, by emphasizing the tactile qualities of the paint and drawing attention to the process of its application, Gauguin elevates the material itself. This brings the making process to the forefront, challenging the traditional hierarchy between artistic concept and the labor involved in its execution.