The Siesta

Paul Gauguin's "The Siesta" transports us to a vivid, sun-drenched Tahitian scene, created around 1892. This painting is a prime example of Gauguin's Post-Impressionist and Symbolist style, characterized by bold colors and a departure from naturalistic representation, which he developed significantly during his time in Tahiti. Having sought refuge from Western civilization, Gauguin aimed to depict a more 'primitive' and spiritual world. Here, we see Tahitian women in various states of rest, their forms simplified and their skin tones rendered in rich, unnatural hues of orange and brown, reflecting his experimental use of color. The lush, tropical landscape, with its flattened planes and decorative patterns, underscores his Synthetist approach, where observation is combined with the artist's subjective feelings and memories. This work, alongside others like "Ia Orana Maria (Hail Mary)" and "Tahitian Women Bathing" also in the Met's collection, showcases Gauguin's fascination with Tahitian life and his distinct artistic vision that profoundly influenced the French avant-garde.