Aha oe feii? (What! Are You Jealous?)

Paul Gauguin, a pivotal figure in Post-Impressionism and Symbolism, created 'Aha oe feii? (What! Are You Jealous?)' in 1894, a period marked by his deep engagement with Tahitian culture. This watercolor monotype, from a glass matrix, exemplifies his experimental approach to printmaking and his distinctive Synthetist style, which favored bold outlines and flat areas of color over the Impressionists' focus on light and atmosphere. Gauguin, also known for works like 'Mahana no atua (Day of the God)' and 'Merahi metua no Tehamana,' often explored themes of indigenous life and spirituality, seeking a more 'primitive' existence away from European modernity. Here, the title itself, 'What! Are You Jealous?', hints at a narrative or emotional undercurrent, inviting the viewer to ponder the interaction between the two Tahitian women. The intimate scale and the medium's unique qualities—watercolor monotype with gouache—lend a dreamlike quality, characteristic of his Symbolist leanings and his broader artistic quest to convey inner meaning rather than mere external reality.