Manuscript Pages [verso] 1884 - 1888

Here is a glimpse into the mind of Paul Gauguin, captured in ink on these manuscript pages. Though undated, these writings reflect the intellectual and cultural milieu that shaped Gauguin's artistic vision in the late 19th century. Gauguin was grappling with questions of artistic integrity, the role of the artist in society, and the relationship between art, literature, and music. The artist touches on the tension between intellect and emotion in the creative process, a discourse prevalent in Symbolist circles, to which Gauguin was connected. These concerns were expressed in his art, which moved away from realism towards a more subjective and expressive mode of representation. These pages, filled with his reflections, offer an intimate look at Gauguin's artistic philosophy. He wrote, "the defense of their work, as if one accused them of not being entirely right." It’s an inner dialogue where Gauguin is both the creator and the critic. The blank page on the right is a powerful reminder of the unwritten, the unspoken. It mirrors the emotional intensity found in Gauguin's art.