Village street, Osny 1883

Paul Gauguin painted this canvas, “Village street, Osny,” using oil paints, likely during his time in the countryside outside Paris. See how the road cuts through the scene, drawing our eyes towards the cluster of buildings? The thatched roofs of the cottages evoke a sense of timelessness and rustic simplicity. The way Gauguin renders them reminds me of similar motifs in Northern European art dating back centuries, symbols of rural life and cultural identity. Notice the bare tree reaching up towards the sky. Such a tree is an ancient symbol found in various cultures; often representing themes of life, death, and rebirth. Looking at this symbol through a psychoanalytic lens, we might consider how these recurring motifs tap into a collective memory, stirring feelings of nostalgia and connection to the past. It is a powerful image, engaging viewers on a subconscious level. Ultimately, it's important to consider the cyclical progression of symbols like the bare tree and the thatched roof, which resurface and evolve, constantly acquiring new meanings across different historical contexts.