The artwork “Two Sisters” by Paul Gauguin is a portrait painted in 1892, during Gauguin’s time in French Polynesia. This work, an oil on canvas piece, is exemplary of the Post-Impressionist movement, which followed the initial bursts of Impressionism and often featured a greater emphasis on geometric forms, distinct lines, and the use of unnatural or arbitrary color. The painting itself is part of the collection at the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
“Two Sisters” conveys an intimate depiction of two young girls standing closely beside one another, exuding a sense of familial connection or friendship. The figures are adorned in brightly colored garments which starkly contrast against the lush, ever-so-slightly abstracted natural background. The fluid brushstrokes and vibrant, rich palette typify Post-Impressionist style, as does the sense of serenity imbued by their poised stances and the tranquil setting. Gauguin’s choice of colors is particularly notable for its departure from naturalistic tones, a hallmark of his aesthetic that sought to evoke emotional responses rather than replicate reality directly.
