The artwork titled “Portrait of a Young Woman, Vaite (Jeanne) Goupil” is a painting by the esteemed artist Paul Gauguin, created in the year 1896 during his time in French Polynesia. This oil on canvas is exemplary of the Cloisonnism art movement, which is characterized by bold and flat forms separated by dark contours, a style that Gauguin was particularly known for. The genre of the artwork is portraiture, capturing the likeness and essence of the individual subject.
Examining the artwork further, one can observe the distinct use of color and outlines that are hallmarks of the Cloisonnism style, which was influenced by stained glass and Japanese prints. The young woman, Vaite Goupil, is portrayed seated with an upright and frontal pose against a vivid and somewhat abstract background. The color palette is rich with an interplay of warm and cool hues, displaying a contrast between the earthy tones of her garments and the vibrant backdrop.
Gauguin’s application of paint creates a flattening of the form, with limited shading or gradation, which was typical for the Cloisonnist method. The background consists of decorative floral motifs and color fields, which are not realistic in depiction but are emblematic and symbolic. The subject’s expression is serene and introspective, with her gaze slightly averted from the viewer, adding to the enigmatic quality of the painting.
The portrait conveys a certain stillness and formality, yet there is an intimate connection with the subject through her direct if contemplative gaze. Gauguin frequently blended the traditional with the exotic in his art, particularly in his works from French Polynesia, and this piece reflects that synthesis. It stands as a testament to the artist’s unique interpretation of the people and scenes he encountered in his travels, eschewing naturalism for a more expressive and emotionally resonant aesthetic.
