Here we make love

In "Here we make love," a woodcut printed in color, a Tahitian couple embraces under the watchful eye of a figure in the background, possibly a goddess or spirit. The scene unfolds within a dense, almost claustrophobic jungle, where large, stylized leaves and organic forms press in from all sides. Gauguin's distinctive use of flattened forms and vibrant, non-naturalistic colors transforms the natural world into a symbolic realm. The figures themselves are simplified, their bodies outlined boldly, emphasizing their connection to the lush, untamed environment. This work, created during Gauguin's first extended stay in Tahiti, reflects his fascination with what he perceived as a more primal, spiritual existence, a stark contrast to the European society he had left behind. The print's raw, almost primitive aesthetic, achieved through the woodcut medium, further enhances its evocative power, inviting viewers into a world of myth and passion.