Auti te Pape (Women at the River)

1894, printed 1921

Paul Gauguin

Associated Names
Paul Gauguin

Artist, French, 1848 - 1903

Pola Gauguin

Printer, Danish, born France, 1883-1961

Christian Cato

Publisher

This is a painting of abstract figures set in a dream-like landscape. The image consists of two prominent figures situated in front of a textured and patterned background. The central figure is positioned seated, with distinctive features and an adorned head, depicted in dark tones contrasted against the lighter textured surroundings. To the right, another figure appears to be in motion with arms raised, contributing to a sense of movement and fluidity. The background exhibits abstract patterns that resemble geological or organic forms, creating a mystical and ethereal atmosphere. The contrast between light and dark areas is pronounced, enhancing the dramatic effect of the composition.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    woodcut on China paper

  • Credit Line

    Rosenwald Collection

  • Dimensions

    image: 20.6 x 35.6 cm (8 1/8 x 14 in.)
    sheet: 26.9 x 42.4 cm (10 9/16 x 16 11/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1944.2.25.1

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Mongan et al. 1988, no. 16, State ii/ii (Db)

Associated Artworks

See all 9 artworks

Paul Gauguin: 10 Traesnit (Pola Gauguin Portfolio)

Paul Gauguin, Pola Gauguin, Christian Cato

1894

The image features curving and jagged lines forming distinct shapes such as a person wrapped in cloth, a bull, and a bird. To the left, the text "Les Souitine" is intertwined with swirls, while on the right, faces with mask-like features are visible. The design shows bold contrast between light and shadow, resembling a carved or scratched appearance of woodcut prints.

Title Page for "Le Sourire" (Titre du Sourire)

Paul Gauguin, Pola Gauguin, Christian Cato

1899

The image shows a standing figure in full view, facing slightly sideways with their head turned towards the viewer. The person has long dark hair falling over their shoulders and a flower in their hair, standing among plants and foliage. The figure is holding a stem with heart-shaped leaves, and the background features abstract wave-like patterns and a border with geometric shapes and carvings on the left. At the top, there is text saying "NAVENAVE FENUA."

Nave Nave Fenua (Delightful Land)

Paul Gauguin, Pola Gauguin, Christian Cato

1894

Artwork history & notes

Exhibition History

2011

  • Impressionist and Post-Impressionist Masterpieces from the National Gallery of Art, The National Art Center, Tokyo, Tokyo; Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art, Kyoto, 2011, unnumbered catalogue.

Bibliography

1927

  • Guérin, Marcel. L'Oeuvre gravé de Gauguin. 2 vols. Paris: H. Floury, 1927.

1988

  • Mongan, Elizabeth, Eberhard W. Kornfeld, and Harold Joachim. Paul Gauguin: Catalogue Raisonne of his Prints. Berne: Galerie Kornfeld, 1988.

2010

  • Jones, Kimberly A. Impressionist and Post-Impressionist Masterpieces from the National Gallery of Art. Washington, DC: National Gallery of Art, 2010.

Inscriptions

recto: in block, in image, at lower left: P G O; in block, in image, at lower right: AUTI TE PAPE; above image, at left, in graphite: no 55; below image, at left, in graphite: Paul Gauguin fait; below image, at right, in graphite: Pola Gauguin imp.; verso: none

Markings

none

Watermarks

none

Wikidata ID

Q65024238

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