The artwork titled “Still life with Tahitian Oranges” is a creation of the artist Paul Gauguin from the year 1892, during his time in French Polynesia. It is an oil on canvas painting, exemplifying the Cloisonnism art movement, which is known for bold outlines and flat areas of color. The genre of the painting is still life, and currently, it resides in a private collection.
The artwork presents a vibrant portrayal of Tahitian oranges situated on what appears to be a wooden table. The oranges are carefully placed within a dark bowl, with a grouping of fully ripened fruits at the forefront. There’s an assortment of both green and orange hues on the citrus fruits, suggesting various stages of ripeness, and enhancing the naturalistic aspect of the piece. The composition is brought to life by the juxtaposition of the warm yellow tones of the background and the tabletop against the rich, saturated colors of the oranges, greens, and vivid reds of the flowers strewn to the right bottom corner.
Gauguin’s signature approach to color can be noted in the expressive use of contrasting warm and cool tones, which provides the painting with remarkable depth and a palpable sense of tropical warmth. The use of bold outlines around the oranges and leaves, typical of the Cloisonnist style, elevates them from the plain background, underlining the simplicity and stillness of the moment captured in the work. This still life is a testament to Gauguin’s fascination with the exotic character of the Tahitian landscape and culture, and it offers a glimpse into the artist’s experiences and impressions during his time there.
