Madame Alexandre Kohler 1887 - 1888

Paul Gauguin painted "Madame Alexandre Kohler," but the exact date remains unknown. The painting offers a glimpse into the world of the late 19th century, a time when artists were grappling with new ways of representing identity. Madame Kohler is captured with a direct gaze and a composed posture, challenging traditional representations of women in art. As we examine Madame Kohler, we might reflect on the representation of women during that time. While male artists often objectified women, here, Gauguin presents a woman who appears self-assured, yet there is also a sense of melancholy. What does it mean to be a bourgeois woman in the late 19th century? What were her opportunities? How did society constrain her? Gauguin wrote, "I shut my eyes in order to see." Consider this as you reflect on how the painting invites you to look beyond the surface, engaging with a deeper understanding of identity and representation.