Animal Studies 1901 - 1902

Paul Gauguin sketched "Animal Studies" using graphite on paper; although undated, it gives insight into his artistic focus. Gauguin, living in a period of intense social change and colonialism, sought to challenge Western artistic conventions. His fascination with non-European cultures, particularly those of Tahiti, reflected a desire to escape what he saw as the decadence of European society. Yet his vision was also marked by the colonial gaze, where the 'primitive' was both romanticized and misunderstood. Here, the outlined animals echo a primal innocence, a concept Gauguin associated with the cultures he studied. We might consider the tension in his work: the desire for authenticity versus the impact of colonial perspectives. These studies suggest Gauguin’s emotional quest for a simpler life, even as his vision was inevitably shaped by the complex historical forces of his time.