("Leda") Design for a Plate: Shame on Those Who Evil Think (Honi Soit Qui Mal y Pense) ; cover illustration for the "Volpini Suite" entitled Lithographic Drawings (Dessins lithographiques)

A boldly colored zincograph, this work served as the cover for Paul Gauguin's "Volpini Suite," a collection of lithographic drawings. Here, a nude woman, likely Leda from Greek mythology, reclines with her back to us, her form outlined in stark black against a vibrant yellow background. The title, "Shame on Those Who Evil Think," hints at a deeper, perhaps ironic, commentary on viewers' perceptions. The hand-applied watercolor and gouache enhance the flat, decorative quality, a hallmark of the Synthetist style that was emerging at the time. This piece, created in 1889, demonstrates a departure from traditional academic approaches, favoring strong lines, simplified forms, and non-naturalistic color to evoke feeling and symbolism rather than mere representation. It invites us to consider the interplay between myth, art, and the viewer's gaze, all while showcasing an experimental approach to printmaking.