Paul Gauguin - Arearea (Joyousness)

Paul Gauguin (1848-1903) - Arearea (Joyousness) (1892)

France Stamp issued 1968

Musee d'Orsay Paris

This painting was completed by Gauguin when he was in Tahiti, paving the way for the art world at the time, leading towards a greater interest in primitive arts.  His paintings are good examples of symbolism - this painting contains a group of people worshiping a statue at the rear of the painting, a red dog and the sky is not visible, even though this is an outdoor scene.

Gauguin did not achieve a great deal of success when he exhibited his Tahiti paintings in Paris in 1893, but he lead the way for other artists who became interested in primitive arts in the 20th century.  He died in the Dominique Islands in the South Pacific in poor circumstances.