Tree in the farm yard 1874

Paul Gauguin made this painting, "Tree in the Farm Yard," using oil on canvas. It's a scene of everyday rural life. Gauguin uses rough brushstrokes to build up texture. The layered paint creates a sense of depth, especially in the foliage of the tree. The colour palette leans towards earthy browns and greens, punctuated by brighter yellows and the cool blues of the sky. This wasn't just about representing what he saw. Gauguin’s painting is infused with social and cultural significance. The scene is imbued with the quiet, constant labor of rural existence. Gauguin, himself from a bourgeois background, often looked to such settings, idealizing a simpler life away from urban industrialization. The painting captures a moment in time, but also hints at the ongoing relationship between people and the land. Considering materials, making, and context helps us understand Gauguin's intentions, challenging the line between fine art and the everyday.