Mette asleep on a sofa 1875

Paul Gauguin painted this scene of his wife Mette, asleep on a sofa, using oil on canvas. Oil paint is a versatile medium, allowing for rich color and texture, and its use signals Gauguin’s immersion in the world of fine art. Here, the materiality of the paint contributes to the artwork's overall impact. Notice the thick impasto, the way the brushstrokes capture the folds of the fabric and the soft contours of Mette's body. Gauguin applied the paint with visible strokes, leaving traces of the making process on the canvas. The choice of subject matter is also significant. By depicting his wife in a moment of vulnerability, Gauguin invites us to consider the intimate realities of domestic life and the labor of care that often goes unseen. This challenges the traditional hierarchies of art, where grand historical narratives and heroic figures often take precedence over the everyday experiences of women.