Tahitian Faces (Frontal View and Profiles)

Paul Gauguin, a pivotal figure in Post-Impressionism and Symbolism, created 'Tahitian Faces (Frontal View and Profiles)' in 1894, a year after his return from his first transformative stay in Tahiti. This charcoal drawing captures his deep fascination with the people and culture of the South Pacific, a theme central to many of his notable works like 'Mahana no atua (Day of the God)' from the same year, and 'Merahi metua no Tehamana (Tehamana Has Many Parents)' from 1893. Gauguin sought an escape from European modernity, believing he found a more 'primitive' and authentic way of life in Tahiti. Here, he explores the distinct features of Tahitian individuals, using the starkness of charcoal to emphasize their forms. The drawing reflects his broader artistic movement away from the Impressionists' focus on light and fleeting moments towards a more expressive, symbolic, and synthetist style, often characterized by bold outlines and flattened forms, even in his preparatory sketches. This piece offers insight into his process of observing and distilling the essence of his subjects, which would then inform his more elaborate paintings and woodcuts.