“Change of Residence,” a work by Paul Gauguin created in the period of 1901-1902, reflects the Post-Impressionist movement. This genre painting, representative of the artist’s thematic and stylistic tendencies, resides in the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City, New York, United States. The artwork is imbued with the characteristic visual language of Post-Impressionism, which often emphasizes individual expression and bold colors but is uniquely interpreted by Gauguin through his distinct approach.
The artwork presents a scene of modest complexity with a handful of figures engaged in an activity suggestive of migration or transition. The foreground is dominated by several figures that appear to be standing and one mounted on a horse, their bodies rendered with expressive, fluid lines that provide a sense of movement and life. The figures are depicted with varying degrees of detail, some with more defined features and others more abstract, evoking the influence of Primitivism that Gauguin is known for. The background features simplistic representations of the landscape and structures which sit in stark contrast to the organic forms of the human figures and the animal. The sketch-like quality of the linework and the absence of color in the artwork allow for a focus on the form and subject matter, capturing a moment of transition with an almost ephemeral quality.
