The artwork entitled “In Brittany” by Paul Gauguin is a watercolor on paper, created in 1889 during the artist’s stay in France. Emblematic of the Post-Impressionism movement, the artwork measures 37.7 x 27 cm and falls under the genre painting category. It portrays a scene of Brittany and is currently housed at the Whitworth Art Gallery, which is part of the University of Manchester in the UK.
In the artwork, Gauguin captures a rural moment, depicting three figures and a cow in a verdant landscape. The individuals are likely locals, portrayed in traditional Breton attire, which reflects their cultural identity. The cow and surrounding flora, rendered in a palette of vivid greens, oranges, and blues, are illustrative of the natural beauty found in Brittany at the time. Each figure bears a distinct posture, suggesting a narrative or interaction about to unfold. Gauguin’s use of color and form exemplifies Post-Impressionist techniques, moving beyond the naturalism of Impressionism towards a style that emphasizes the emotional and symbolic content of the subject. The flat areas of color, bold outlines, and the lack of traditional perspective, are distinguishing features of Gauguin’s evolving style and his exploration of symbolism and synthetism.
