Flower Vase in Window

Flower Vase in Window by Paul Gauguin

Description:
"Flower Vase in Window," painted by Paul Gauguin around 1881, is an early work that reflects his exploration of still life composition and color. Gauguin, born in Paris in 1848, became one of the most influential figures in Post-Impressionism. Initially working as a stockbroker, Gauguin began painting in his spare time before committing fully to art in the early 1880s. Influenced by the Impressionists, particularly Pissarro and Cézanne, he gradually developed his style, which moved away from naturalism towards symbolic use of color and form. Gauguin's early works, like "Flower Vase in Window," display his interest in everyday subjects, yet also foreshadow his later experimentation with bold colors and flattened perspectives.

In "Flower Vase in Window," Gauguin captures a simple yet elegant still life of flowers in a vase placed on a windowsill. The composition is balanced and serene, with the soft light streaming through the window, illuminating the delicate petals of the flowers. The view outside the window adds depth to the scene, creating a sense of both intimacy and openness. This piece, while more traditional than Gauguin's later works, demonstrates his skill in capturing mood and atmosphere and his early interest in color relationships, which would become more radical as his style evolved. It marks an important step in his artistic development, bridging his early realism with his later, more symbolic approach.

Details:

• Location and Date Created: France, circa 1881.
• Medium: Oil on canvas.
• Full Artwork Name: Flower Vase in Window by Paul Gauguin.
• Artwork Style: Early Post-Impressionism; still life.
• Subject/Topic: A still life of flowers in a vase set on a windowsill, with an outdoor view in the background.