The artwork titled “A little cat,” created by Paul Gauguin in 1888 during his time in Pont-aven, France, is an oil on canvas painting belonging to the animal painting genre. It exemplifies the Cloisonnism movement and currently resides in a private collection. The painting utilizes the distinctive aesthetic of flat planes of color and bold outlines associated with Cloisonnism, showcasing Gauguin’s innovative approach to modern art.
The artwork features a black feline figure against a vibrant yellow and red background. The cat is depicted in a profile view, with its body composed of sleek, dark brushstrokes that give a sense of volume and form within the flat pictorial space. There is an evident contrast between the animal’s silhouette and the bright, warm hues of the backdrop. The cat appears to be in motion or perhaps poised, capturing the essence of feline grace and mystery. The use of color and simple shapes highlights the artist’s departure from naturalistic representation, focusing instead on the synthesis of form and the emotional resonance of color. The signature “P. Gauguin” can be discerned in the lower right corner, anchoring the work as a product of the artist’s distinctive vision.
