Comparative Study Paul Gauguin 7 June 1848 8 May 1903

The Yellow Christ (1889)

Oil on Canvas

'The Yellow Christ' is a classic example of his style. It depicts

some traditional Breton women praying at a roadside grotto
but it is not a documentary illustration of the scene; it is an
attempt to portray the spiritual vision that they experience in
their prayer. In this painting Gauguin was inspired by the
naive simplicity of a wooden 17th century crucifix that he saw
in the nearby church at Tremalo and he uses its primitive form
and autumnal yellow color as a key to the work.
He then simplifies his drawing, boldly outlines his shapes and
exaggerates his color to magnify the heightened emotion of
the women's prayerful meditation.
'Tahitian Landscape', 1893 (oil on canvas)
This picture, one of the first he painted in the South Seas, exhibits the artist's
characteristic Post-Impressionist style. In it, Gauguin used sinuous contours
and intense colors to express the joy and serenity inspired by the lush tropical
site.Tahiti would become Gauguin's home for most of the last twelve years of
his life. He once said of his Tahitian paintings that he had been "eager to
suggest a luxurious and untamed nature, a tropical sun that sets aglow
everything around it...the equivalent of the grandeur, depth, and mystery of
Tahiti when it must be expressed in one square meter of canvas."

A
CONNECTION

Master of the Lyversberg Passion or Master of

the life of the Virgin (UNKNOWN)
"Christ on the Cross with Mary, John and Mary
Magdalene"
Dimensions: 86.4 x 72.9 cm Medium: Oil
Painting on Oak, Creation Date: 1465 - 1470

PAUL GAUGUIN (1848-1903)

'The Yellow Christ', 1889 (oil on canvas)

B
PAUL GAUGUIN (1848-1903)
'Tahitian Landscape', 1893 (oil on canvas)

Comparative Study Paul Gauguin

C
http://daydreamtourist.com/2013/02/04/mary-magdalene/

Master of the Life of the Virgin, Christ on the Cross with Mary, John and
Mary Magdalene, c. 1465/1470. Wallraf-Richartz Museum, Cologne,
Germany

In The Yellow Christ (1889) often cited as a quintessential cloisonnist work, Gauguin reduced the
cross to areas of single colors separated by heavy black outlines and have direct influence from
post renaissance painting. In such works he paid little attention to classical perspective and
boldly eliminated subtle gradations of color two of the most characteristic principles of postRenaissance painting.

Comparative Study Direct Influences from his own painting Tahitian Landscape
SUBJECT:
Tahitian Landscape
Reflects rural area with
warm colours

SUBJECT:
Catholism ancient Celtic
beliefs, anthropological
study Breton peoples

INFLUENCES: Artist used technique

known as Cloisonnism - medieval
technique for decorative enamel work
Many historians believe that Gauguin
painted his own face as the face of Christ
because he felt that, like Christ, he had
suffered and was still suffering he
endured the many woes of an artist.

COMPOSITION

Also, the man running in the

background is caught in the act of
getting away, which represents the
late 19th century desire to "get
away" from the city life and get
back to the "primitive.

Typical academic style of

composition and Artist
used one point
perspective. The path
shows very clearly to leads
vanishing in one point
perspective.

Triangular representations

Colour Scheme:
(Direct influence from
Tahitian Landscape

TECHNIQUE:
Artist used oil on canvas in
this picture and less outline
and flat colour approach

INTENTION
COMPOSITION
Unique arrangement in this composition, more into
primitive style. he paid little attention to classical

perspective
TECHNIQUE:
Artist used oil on canvas in this painting and bold outline with
vivid colour scheme . Highly inspired from Cloisonnism rom post
renaissance period.

In this painting Gauguin

expressed in unusual way of
depicting the characterization
and cultural significance. it is
an attempt to portray the
spiritual vision that they
experience in their prayer. It
is more connected into social
and spiritual context rather
than Religion.

IMAGE ANNOTATION (Similarities and differences)

INFLUENCES: In this
painting artist used direct
influences from the
nature and shows
geographical condition of
the place.

INTENTION
In this painting artist captured
natural beauty of Tahitian
landscape . He attempt well in
the artistic feature s of colour
balance, harmony , mood and
atmosphere.

Similar arrangement in the Holy Cross

SUBJECT:
Strong Religious Painting
Biblical scenes
represented

SUBJECT:
Catholism
ancient Celtic
beliefs,
anthropological
study Breton
peoples

TECHNIQUE:
Artist used oil on oak in
this picture and less outline
and flat colour approach

SPACE and BALANCE :

Similarities
Both paintings having
similar annotated diagrams
in the pictorial composition

COMPOSITION
Typical Classical
perspective, can easily find
direct similarities of
Gaugains Yellow christ
(Compare Triangular
diagrams)

Landscape Similarities
Colour Scheme:
Differences
(Direct influence from
Tahitian Landscape
Typical post renaissance
style

INFLUENCES: In this
painting artist used direct
influences from biblical
stories.

Triangular representations

C
INTENTION
COMPOSITION
Unique arrangement in this composition, more into
primitive style. he paid little attention to classical

TECHNIQUE:

perspective (Compare Triangular

diagrams)

Artist used oil on canvas in this painting and bold

outline with vivid colour scheme . Highly inspired
from Cloisonnism rom post renaissance period.

IMAGE ANNOTATION (Similarities and differences)

In this painting
Gauguin depicts some
traditional Breton
women praying at a
roadside grotto but it
is not a documentary
illustration of the
scene; it is an attempt
to portray the spiritual
vision that they
experience in their
prayer.

Master of the Lyversberg Passion or Master of the life of the

Virgin (UNKNOWN)
"Christ on the Cross with Mary, John and Mary Magdalene"
Dimensions: 86.4 x 72.9 cm Medium: Oil painting on Oak
Creation Date: 1465 - 1470

INTENTION
The wealthy Mary of Magdala (a city along the Sea of
Galilee) was said to be cured of an illness by Jesus and
became a close follower of his. While the 12 Disciples
scattered during the crucifiction, it was Mary Magdalene,
Mother Mary and John that stay at the cross.

Resource:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloisonnism
http://daydreamtourist.com/2013/02/04/mary-magdalene/

http://www.artsconnected.org/resource/8518/tahitian-landscape
http://www.intltravelnews.com/images/2006/07/big/pgfg.jpg
http://www.aaronartprints.org/gauguin-theyellowchrist.php
http://www.gluckliche-eme.com/miscgermanartists.htm
http://www.wallraf.museum/en/collections/middle-ages/floorplan/gallery-7/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Gauguin

S.VIJAYARAGHAVAN
IBDP VISUAL ARTS FACULTY
NPS INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL, SINGAPORE
vijayaraghavan.srinivasan@npsinternational.edu.sg