L’univers est créé (The Universe Is Being Created), from the Noa Noa Suite 1893 - 1894

Editor: So, this is Paul Gauguin’s print “L’univers est crée (The Universe Is Being Created)” from 1893-94. It’s an etching printed on paper, and the longer I look at it, the more dreamlike and otherworldly it feels. It’s hard to make sense of what's going on; what do you see in this piece? Curator: It’s fascinating, isn't it? The layering of figures, the way the human merges with the animal… It speaks volumes about Gauguin’s interest in primal creation myths and the interconnectedness of life. The composition reminds me of illuminated manuscripts. Notice how the figures seem suspended, almost floating, in this dark, undefined space. Editor: Yeah, I see that, it's almost like he's not trying to depict a real scene, but some sort of symbolic, inner vision? The title hints at a grand narrative, but I'm having trouble reading it. Curator: Exactly! It's about accessing something pre-linguistic, a shared ancestral memory, almost. Think about the Tahitian influences that were so important to him. The repeating motifs and ambiguous forms create this symbolic vocabulary; it’s Gauguin’s way of evoking the mysteries of existence before logical understanding takes over. Are there any symbols or images that particularly draw you in? Editor: The figure in the lower left - is it a woman? - she almost looks like a memory of Eve, turned away, as other figures move right into the “new” universe. Also that fantastic animal towards the right, emerging from the darkness with a sort of primal force… Curator: Yes, I find that beast evocative as well! This blend of fear and awe mirrors humanity’s complex relationship with the natural world, as explored across cultures from Ancient Greece to the Pacific Islands. And your intuition about the figure’s associations with Eve may carry a key insight into Gauguin’s interpretation. The print wrestles with complex ideas of paradise, creation, and our place in it all. Editor: I see it differently now! I hadn't picked up on how much it was about the symbolism and creation myths that repeat across cultures, which brings the work to another level. Thanks! Curator: And thank you for helping me consider anew the enduring power of Gauguin’s symbolic language!