The artwork “Portrait of William Molard” was created by the illustrious artist Paul Gauguin in 1894, during his time in Paris, France. It is an oil painting on canvas, characterized by the Post-Impressionist movement that Gauguin was a part of. The painting measures 46 by 38 centimeters and falls under the genre of portrait. This artwork currently resides in the prestigious Musée d’Orsay in Paris, France.
The artwork features a frontal representation of William Molard, captured with bold colors and evident brushstrokes that are typical of the Post-Impressionist style. Gauguin’s use of color in the portrait is remarkable, with purples and blues dominating the composition, suggesting depth and shadow in the subject’s features and clothing. The facial expression of Molard is rendered with a degree of solemnity, reflecting the psychological exploration that Post-Impressionism often aimed to convey. The background is subdued, yet it contains elements that seem to break into the space with darker hues, providing a stark contrast to the lighter tones of the subject’s face and the bright splash of pink on the subject’s tie around his neck. Gauguin’s technique and use of color attest to his departure from the naturalistic palette and convey a sense of the subject’s inner life, aligning with the movement’s intent to evoke emotion over realistic representation.