The artwork entitled “Black pigs” was created by the prominent artist Paul Gauguin in the year 1891 during his time in French Polynesia. It is an oil painting on canvas, representative of the Post-Impressionism art movement. The piece measures 91 by 72 centimeters and falls under the genre painting category, which depicts scenes from everyday life.
In the artwork, one observes a tropical scene imbued with vibrant colors and an almost dreamlike quality, characteristics typical of Gauguin’s style. The foreground features several black pigs, which provide the painting with its title, rooting around among colorful plant life. At the center of the composition sits a Tahitian woman dressed in traditional attire; her relaxed, contemplative pose suggests a tranquil atmosphere. A horse is positioned behind the woman, grazing quietly near a thatched-roof structure, which adds to the overall ambiance of a serene, daily-life tableau. The background is rich with lush foliage, including towering palm trees that sway gently against a brilliant blue sky, creating a somewhat exotic sense of place. Through this juxtaposition of figures, flora, and fauna, Gauguin effectively conveys an impression of life in French Polynesia at the end of the 19th century.
