“Matamoe” is a captivating oil on canvas painting by Paul Gauguin, created in 1892. The dimensions of this artwork are 115 x 86 cm (45 1/4 x 33 7/8 in), and it is housed at the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts in Moscow. The painting reflects Gauguin’s unique post-impressionist style, characterized by bold colors and strong lines.
The artwork “Matamoe” depicts a lush landscape that is likely inspired by Gauguin’s time in Tahiti. The scene is vibrant with tropical colors and includes elements that suggest a narrative of life and death in an exotic setting. Central to the image is a figure that appears to be mourning or performing a ritual over a fallen figure, which might suggest themes of mortality and the afterlife, common in Gauguin’s Tahitian works. The background is a fusion of vibrant colors representing the tropical flora, and there are peacocks in the foreground, adding to the painting’s rich tapestry of life. The title “Matamoe” translates to “Landscape with Peacocks,” and the painting is often interpreted as a contemplation of the mysteries of exotic lands and the cycle of life.
