The artwork titled “Spirit of the Dead Watching” is a creation by Paul Gauguin, dating back to 1892. This oil on canvas painting measures 73 by 92 centimeters and represents the Post-Impressionism art movement. It falls within the nude painting genre and currently resides at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery in Buffalo, New York, United States. The artwork was originally created in French Polynesia, reflecting Gauguin’s interest in the culture, people, and landscapes of the region.
“Spirit of the Dead Watching” depicts a young girl lying nude on her stomach on a bed, with her head turned towards the viewer and her eyes wide open. She displays an expression of concern or fear. The scene portrays an apparent juxtaposition of vulnerability and innocence with an otherworldly presence; behind her, a brooding, shadowy female figure stands, seemingly representing the eponymous ‘spirit’. The ambiguous figure could be interpreted as an embodiment of the afterlife or the spiritual world, watching over the girl. The use of color is rich and vibrant, painting the scene with an almost ethereal quality, which is characteristic of Gauguin’s work during his time in Polynesia. The strong outlines and flat, unmodulated colors draw from the synthetist style that Gauguin championed, moving away from naturalistic representation towards a greater emphasis on symbolic content.
