French artist, Paul Gauguin (1848-1903), led a rather disjointed life. He was a stockbroker first. He married a Danish woman, Matte-Sophie Gad and had five children. The stock market crashed in 1882 and the loss of his profession also eventually crashed his marriage. Gauguin decided to become a painter which his stern, conservative wife could not accept. They moved to Denmark to be with her family and Gauguin travelled away from them in miles and attention from that time forward. He died in French Polynesia at age 54.

Gauguin was not successful during his life but now is renowned as a pioneer of the Symbolist and Post-Impressionism Art Movements. His work is believed to have set the stage for Fauvism and Expressionism. His art was as exotic in his day as the exotic places he often painted.

Washerwomen, though painted in less exotic Arles, France, seems to reflect his movement from Impressionism to Post Impressionism.  Here you see more details without the fast brush technique and visual blurring of light. This piece is a remarkable view of a rather unremarkable activity which also reflects Gauguin’s inventiveness. This painting was done on burlap which is not common. This view of women from the back is not typical. Nor is the cropping of the scene as a composition crowded with many subjects and many layered horizons both straight and diagonal. Your eyes dance through all that is included here in colors that push and pull. Gauguin’s art is sometimes called cloisonne after the enameling technique because of his flat areas of color and bold outlines included in this work. There is so much to see from the brush of this innovator.

Gauguin seemed to be a restless man and his restlessness pushed the art world forward. There is much to criticize and much to appreciate about his life. His genius, his experimentation and adventurous spirit made a mark in this world. These just could not make a settled, easy life for him or those who loved him.

Thank you to Paul Gauguin, a child of God.

In gratitude, faith and hope,

Sandy Prouty
Minister of Children and Families
Montview Church