Accession Number
113441
Medium
Graphite on cream wove paper, discolored to tan
Dimensions
22.5 × 7.4 cm (8 7/8 × 2 15/16 in.)
Classification
drawings (visual works)
Credit Line
Gift of Mrs. Potter Palmer
Background & Context
Background Story
Paul Gauguin's Fragment of Long Inscription (c. 1895) is a graphite drawing on cream wove paper showing a fragment of an inscription. Gauguin was deeply interested in the languages and cultures of the Pacific, and he incorporated inscriptions in Tahitian and other languages into his works. This fragment shows an inscription that likely carries meaning within Gauguin's personal mythology.
Cultural Impact
Gauguin's use of inscriptions reflects his engagement with the languages and cultures of the South Pacific.
Why It Matters
This fragment of an inscription in Tahitian or another language reflects Gauguin's interest in Pacific cultures.
