“The Dreaming” is an artwork completed by Paul Gauguin in 1892 during his time in French Polynesia. This piece is rendered in oil on canvas and is a prime example of the Cloisonnism art movement. Measuring 35.2 x 64.4 cm, this genre painting is currently housed within a private collection.
The artwork depicts a figure lying in repose, enveloped in a richly colored cloak with eye-like motifs—a recurrent symbol in Gauguin’s work that may suggest a spiritual or protective function. The figure’s pose is relaxed, conveying a sense of deep sleep or contemplation. The use of flat planes of color, characteristic of Cloisonnism, gives the artwork a dream-like, almost otherworldly quality. Gauguin’s signature is noticeable in the lower right corner of the canvas, adding a personal touch to the painting. The color palette is muted yet expressive, with a backdrop that suggests a twilight or evening scene, possibly hinting at the time when a person transitions from wakefulness to dreams.
