The artwork titled “Market Day” was created by the Post-Impressionist artist Paul Gauguin in 1892. This genre painting is an oil on canvas and measures 28 3/4 by 36 1/8 inches (73 x 91.5 cm). It is currently housed in the Kunstmuseum Basel, located in Basel, Switzerland. Gauguin produced the artwork while he was in French Polynesia, reflecting his immersion in the local culture and his departure from European artistic conventions.
“Market Day” presents a vivid and colorful scene of Polynesian life, characterized by Gauguin’s unique style that diverges from realism and embraces a more synthetist approach, which was typical of Post-Impressionism. In the artwork, a row of seated figures can be observed, each deeply engrossed in various activities. Their attire is brightly colored, with bold patterns and hues that resonate with the tropical setting. To the left, three figures are engaged in conversation or contemplation, while two figures to the right appear to be in a discussion, with one gesturing expressively. Behind them, individuals engage in more dynamic activities, their forms simplified and stylized, blending with the lush background of trees and vegetation. The painting’s flat planes of color and the abstracted representation of the figures exemplify Gauguin’s departure from the European artistic traditions of the time. The inscription “TA MATETE” at the bottom left corresponds to a Tahitian phrase, enhancing the cultural context of the scene depicted. Overall, “Market Day” captures a moment of everyday life infused with the rich colors, patterns, and essence of Polynesian culture as seen through Gauguin’s distinctive artistic lens.
