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On the Banks of the River at Martinique by Paul Gauguin

On the Banks of the River at Martinique

Paul Gauguin · 1887

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“Step into a vibrant vision of Martinique, painted by Paul Gauguin during his search for an unspoiled paradise. Notice the bold colors and simplified forms that hint at his radical shift from European artistic traditions.”

ABOUT THIS WORK

In this vibrant landscape, a woman in a red dress sits by a river, her back to us, engrossed in conversation with another figure. The lush, tropical foliage of Martinique surrounds them, painted in bold, almost flat areas of color that suggest the island's intense sunlight. Gauguin arrived in Martinique in 1887, seeking an escape from European civilization and a more "primitive" way of life. This painting, created during his brief but impactful stay, captures the everyday life of the island's inhabitants amidst its exotic beauty. The simplified forms and strong outlines here show his developing style, moving away from Impressionism towards a more symbolic and decorative approach. The work's bright palette and the serene interaction between the figures offer a glimpse into the artist's fascination with non-Western cultures and his search for an uncorrupted paradise.

DETAILS
Artist
Paul Gauguin
Date
1887
Medium
Oil on canvas
Location
Van Gogh Museum
ART MOVEMENTS
ImpressionismPost-ImpressionismSymbolism
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What to Notice

Five details hide in plain sight. Here’s where to look.

On the Banks of the River at Martinique
01

The woman's bright red dress, a striking contrast against the green.

02

The simplified, almost abstract shapes of the tropical leaves.

03

The calm, reflective surface of the river.

04

The figures' relaxed postures, suggesting a moment of leisure.

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THE ARTIST

Paul Gauguin

1848–1903 · France

Paul Gauguin, the French Post-Impressionist, abandoned a stockbroker's life for art, famously seeking 'refuge from Western civilization' in Tahiti.

Read Gauguin’s full story
MORE FROM THIS ARTIST

Further Works by Gauguin

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The Seine at Pont de Grenelle The Seine at Pont de Grenelle 1875 · Wallraf–Richartz Museum Still Life: Wood Tankard and Metal Pitcher Still Life: Wood Tankard and Metal Pitcher 1880 · Art Institute of Chicago The Little One Is Dreaming, Etude The Little One Is Dreaming, Etude 1881 · Ordrupgaard An Orchard under the Church of Bihorel An Orchard under the Church of Bihorel 1884 · Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum Blue roofs of Rouen Blue roofs of Rouen 1884 · Museum collection Am Römerholz Evening Primroses in a Vase Evening Primroses in a Vase 1885 Fruit Fruit 1886 Stil life with white vase Stil life with white vase 1886 · Kunsthaus Zürich
EXPLORE THE MOVEMENT

More from Symbolism

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Beata Beatrix Beata Beatrix Rossetti · 1877 · Birmingham Museums Trust Potted Plant Potted Plant Munch · 1881 · Munch Museum Lozenge Composition with Yellow, Black, Blue, Red, and Gray Lozenge Composition with Yellow, Black, Blue, Red, and Gray Mondrian · 1921 · Art Institute of Chicago Portrait of a Lady in a High Hat Portrait of a Lady in a High Hat Klimt · 1882 · Art Institute of Chicago
KEEP EXPLORING

More works to explore

Beyond Gauguin and Symbolism: works from the same years, and from the other movements On the Banks of the River at Martinique belongs to.

Equestrienne (At the Cirque Fernando) Same movement · Post-Impressionism Equestrienne (At the Cirque Fernando) Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec · 1887 · Art Institute of Chicago A Woman Walking in a Garden Same era · 1870s–1900s A Woman Walking in a Garden Vincent van Gogh · 1887 · Frans Buffa & sons After the Bullfight Same movement · Impressionism After the Bullfight Mary Cassatt · 1873 · Art Institute of Chicago A Sunday on La Grande Jatte — 1884 Same era · 1870s–1900s A Sunday on La Grande Jatte — 1884 Okada Saburosuke · 1884 · Art Institute of Chicago A Turn in the Road Same movement · Impressionism A Turn in the Road Alfred Sisley · 1873 · Art Institute of Chicago Madame Léon Clapisson Same era · 1870s–1900s Madame Léon Clapisson Léon-Victor Dupré · 1883 · Art Institute of Chicago Carmelina Same movement · Post-Impressionism Carmelina Henri Matisse · 1903 · Museum of Fine Arts Boston Paris Street; Rainy Day Same era · 1870s–1900s Paris Street; Rainy Day Kawabata Gyokushō · 1877 · Art Institute of Chicago
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