Two Women Chattering, headpiece for Le Sourire 1900

Paul Gauguin created this headpiece for the periodical "Le Sourire" using a woodcut technique. Gauguin, like many artists of his time, was fascinated by cultures outside of Europe, especially those of the Pacific Islands, and he spent considerable time in Tahiti. This print, with its raw, almost primal aesthetic, reflects Gauguin's interest in so-called "primitive" art forms. The Tahitian women depicted, rendered with a mix of admiration and exoticism, speak to the complexities of cross-cultural representation. The title, "Le Sourire," meaning "the smile," might hint at the perceived simplicity or naivete of these cultures. However, there's a tension here. Gauguin's work often romanticizes the "native" experience, overlooking the impact of colonialism and his own position as an outsider. This piece invites us to consider the artist's perspective and the power dynamics at play when one culture attempts to capture another. How do we reconcile the beauty of the image with the problematic gaze behind it?