Merahi metua no Tehamana (Tehamana Has Many Parents or The Ancestors of Tehamana)

Paul Gauguin

Created:
Movement:
1893
Post-Impressionism
key Notes:
Polynesian symbolism, Primitivist portraiture
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Dimensions:
75 × 53 cm (29 1/2 × 20 7/8 in.); Framed: 98.8 × 76.6 × 8.3 cm (38 7/8 × 30 1/8 × 3 1/4 in.)
medium:
Oil on jute canvas
Difficulty:
Easy
New game
story of the work:

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Merahi metua no Tehamana (Tehamana Has Many Parents or The Ancestors of Tehamana) by Paul Gauguin

Paul Gauguin painted "Merahi metua no Tehamana" in 1893, utilizing oil on jute canvas, a medium that contributes to the work's textured and earthy quality. This painting is a significant example of Gauguin's exploration of Tahitian themes, reflecting his fascination with the culture and people of the islands. The work depicts Tehamana, a young Tahitian woman, surrounded by symbolic elements that suggest her connection to her ancestors and the spiritual world. Gauguin's time in Tahiti marked a pivotal period in his career, as he sought to escape European conventions and immerse himself in what he perceived as a more 'primitive' and authentic lifestyle. This painting, like much of his work from this period, challenges Western perceptions of non-European cultures and has been influential in discussions about primitivism in art. Gauguin's legacy is complex, as his works continue to be studied for their innovative use of color and form, as well as their controversial cultural implications.

Description of the work:

Merahi metua no Tehamana (Tehamana Has Many Parents or The Ancestors of Tehamana)

Created by Paul Gauguin in 1893, this oil on jute canvas painting depicts Tehamana, a Tahitian woman, surrounded by symbolic ancestral figures, reflecting Gauguin's fascination with Tahitian culture and mythology. The artwork exemplifies Gauguin's Post-Impressionist style, characterized by bold colors and simplified forms, and is housed in the Art Institute of Chicago.

Artwork Photograph Source:
Art Institute of Chicago

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Merahi metua no Tehamana (Tehamana Has Many Parents or The Ancestors of Tehamana)