Liggend meisje bang voor geesten van overledenen 1894

Paul Gauguin, a leading Post-Impressionist artist, made this print, "Liggend meisje bang voor geesten van overledenen," whose title translates to "Lying girl afraid of spirits of the dead," using zincography. Gauguin spent extended periods in French Polynesia where he sought an escape from European civilization. This print reveals the complexities of cultural exchange and representation. The print depicts a Tahitian woman in a state of fear, reflecting Gauguin's fascination with the spiritual beliefs of the local people. The woman's vulnerability speaks to the broader dynamic of colonialism, where indigenous populations were often subject to the anxieties and disruptions brought by foreign influence. Gauguin once said, "I shut my eyes in order to see." With the image title, we can understand that Gauguin is trying to depict something beyond the visible, delving into the realm of emotions and the subconscious. While the artwork captures a specific cultural moment, it also raises questions about the universal human experience of fear and the power of belief. It encourages us to reflect on the intersection of personal emotions and cultural narratives.