The Universe is Created (L'Univers est créé), from Fragrance (Noa Noa)

Paul Gauguin's woodcut, "The Universe is Created," from his series *Fragrance (Noa Noa)*, offers a profound glimpse into the artist's deeply personal and Symbolist interpretation of Tahitian mythology and the origins of existence. Created in 1893, this print is a testament to Gauguin's experimental use of wood engraving and woodcuts as art forms, a practice he championed alongside his more famous paintings. The artwork encapsulates his distinctive Synthetist style, moving away from the observational realism of Impressionism towards a more subjective, symbolic, and emotionally charged representation. Gauguin, known for his Post-Impressionist and Primitivist leanings, sought to evoke the spiritual and mystical essence of the Polynesian world he inhabited, rather than merely depict it. This piece, like many from his *Noa Noa* series, reflects his immersion in Tahitian culture and his attempt to forge a new artistic language that blended European Symbolism with indigenous narratives, creating a unique visual mythology.