The Vision after the Sermon (Jacob wrestling with the Angel) 1888

Paul Gauguin's "The Vision after the Sermon (Jacob Wrestling with the Angel)" (1888), currently housed in the Scottish National Gallery, is a striking example of Synthetism, a style that emphasized flat shapes and bright colors over realistic representation. The painting depicts a scene from the Bible, where a group of Breton women are shown reacting to the vision of Jacob wrestling with an angel. Gauguin's bold use of color, especially the vibrant red background, evokes a sense of intense emotion and spirituality, while the flattened figures and stylized forms give the work a distinct sense of otherworldliness. The composition is dynamic, drawing the viewer's eye to the central struggle between Jacob and the angel, while the surrounding figures appear to be both mesmerized and deeply moved by the vision.