Among the lillies 1893

Paul Gauguin painted "Among the Lilies" with oil on canvas, using a style that diverged from traditional academic techniques. Gauguin's visible brushstrokes and flattened forms, particularly in the depiction of the figures and foliage, depart significantly from realism. The materiality of paint is foregrounded, its viscous quality lending texture and depth to the scene. This approach reflects a conscious move away from the polished surfaces and illusionistic space of earlier painting traditions. Instead, Gauguin emphasizes the physical act of applying paint to canvas, drawing attention to the labor involved in its production. Gauguin's engagement with non-Western art forms, influenced his stylistic choices and rejection of conventional aesthetics. By embracing a more expressive and subjective approach to painting, Gauguin challenges our assumptions of the distinction between fine art and the more immediate, tactile realm of craft.