The artwork “Tropical Conversation” by Paul Gauguin was created in 1887 and is an oil painting on canvas. Manifesting the principles of Cloisonnism, it measures 61 x 76 cm and falls under the genre painting category. Currently, the piece resides in a private collection. This art movement is known for emphasizing flat areas of color and bold outlines, which is apparent in Gauguin’s technique.
In this work, the artist portrays a tropical scene with figures that appear to engage in everyday life in a lush environment. The color scheme of the artwork is rich and earthy, with predominant hues of greens, reds, and blues that seem to divide the canvas into sections. The figures in the foreground, two women and a child, are standing and conversing, their bodies rendered with broad, bold outlines in a manner typical of Gauguin’s style. Their clothing is brightly colored, contrasting with the natural backdrop.
The background features a person seated near the water, suggesting a tranquil environment. There are boats on the water, which together with the seated figure contribute to a sense of daily activity and life. The painting as a whole conveys a candid snapshot of life in a tropical setting, marked by Gauguin’s distinctive style—one that employs a strong graphic quality and an expressive use of color that eschews the traditional Western perspective in favor of a flatter, more decorative approach. The overall composition conveys an exotic allure and encapsulates the idyllic and somewhat idealized vision that Gauguin sought in his travels to locations he deemed unspoiled by Western civilization.
