Maoris and Animals 1896 - 1897

Paul Gauguin created 'Maoris and Animals,' a woodcut now residing at the Art Institute of Chicago, during a period of intense artistic exploration and colonial encounter. Gauguin's time in French Polynesia was marked by his desire to escape the industrialized world, yet his vision was inevitably shaped by the colonial gaze. This print, with its golden hues and simplified forms, reflects both an exoticizing perspective and a longing for a perceived authenticity. The figures, presumably Maori, are depicted alongside animals in a manner that romanticizes their connection to nature. However, this idyllic portrayal obscures the complex realities of colonial impact on indigenous communities. Gauguin's artistic choices embody the tension between genuine appreciation and cultural appropriation, a dilemma that resonates even today. The emotional weight of this piece lies in its visual beauty, but also in the historical awareness it demands.