Paul Gauguin’s artwork “Hut under the coconut palms” is a testament to his post-impressionist style, dating back to 1894. The medium of watercolor on paper has been employed to create this landscape masterpiece, which measures 31.5 x 23.2 cm. Currently housed at the Musée de France in Paris, France, this work exemplifies Gauguin’s penchant for vivid, tropical scenes.
The artwork presents a vibrant and color-rich depiction of a tropical landscape. The foreground is dominated by a hut with a thatched roof, its walls rendered in warm tones of orange and yellow, suggesting the sunlight’s effect on its surface. The structure is flanked by lush, green vegetation, providing a stark contrast with the vivid blue sky in the background. Standing tall, the coconut palms pierce the sky with their slender trunks and frond-laden crowns, creating a dynamic rhythm that guides the viewer’s eye upward. The use of watercolor allows for a certain luminosity and immediacy in the hues, with some areas where the colors bleed into one another, adding to the sense of heat and humidity often associated with such locales. Gauguin’s loose, expressive brushwork further enhances the painting’s sense of vitality. This artwork is a classic example of Gauguin’s exploration of exotic environments, which he often depicted with a bold palette and an innovative approach to form and color characteristic of Post-Impressionism.
