“The White Horse” is an oil on canvas artwork by Paul Gauguin, completed in 1898. This exquisite piece is an embodiment of the Post-Impressionist movement and measures 140 x 91.5 cm. It is an animal painting that currently resides at the Musée d’Orsay in Paris. The artwork was created in Punaauia, French Polynesia, reflecting Gauguin’s immersion in the region’s environment and culture.
The artwork presents a serene yet complex composition, intertwining the natural with the mythical. In the foreground, a large, white horse dominates the canvas, grazing calmly by a dark, winding stream. Its voluminous form and subtle color variations convey a sense of tranquility and robustness. Behind the white horse, another horse with a figure astride appears in a more vivid, reddish hue, providing a contrast of both color and activity. The background is a lush tapestry of greenery, with intertwining branches and leaves that create depth and a feeling of a secluded grove.
Gauguin’s distinctive Post-Impressionistic style is evident in the bold outlines, flattened perspectives, and the expressive use of color, which evoke an emotional rather than a purely realistic scene. The artist’s influence by the symbolism movement can also be seen in the use of subjects that transcend the mere representation of reality, suggesting a deeper, perhaps spiritual narrative. In this captivating composition, Gauguin invites contemplation on the harmonious existence between creatures and the spiritual connection to their surroundings.
