Provenance
From the artist to Francisco “Paco” Durrio (1868–1940), Paris, between 1893 and 1895 [Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao, 2013]; left by Francisco “Paco” Durrio at Kunsthalle Basel for exhibition in 1928 [Basel, 1928]. Walther Geiser (1897–1993), Basel, by Jan. 18, 1931 [Geiser personal papers]; consigned by Walther Geiser to Lucas Lichtenhan (1897–1969), Basel, on Jan. 18, 1931 [Geiser personal papers]; sold by Lucas Lichtenhan, as the agent for Walther Geiser, London, 1931 [Geiser personal papers]. Albert Roullier Art Galleries, Chicago, by Dec. 21, 1931 [Chicago, 1931]. Mrs. Charles Goodspeed (née Elizabeth Fuller, later Mrs. Gilbert Chapman; 1893–1980), Chicago, by 1938 [Chicago 1938]; bequeathed by the estate of Elizabeth F. Chapman to the Art Institute, 1981.
Accession Number
113913
Medium
Salted paper print (extremely faded) toned with watercolor, on cream wove silver printing-out paper, laid down on cream card (recto); albumen print laid down on cream card (verso)
Dimensions
154 × 123 mm (primary support) (recto); 122 × 86 mm (primary support) (verso); 168 × 133 mm (secondary support)
Classification
watercolor
Credit Line
Bequest of Elizabeth F. Chapman
Background & Context
Background Story
Paul Gauguin's The Yellow Christ (recto) and Female Bather Wading through a Brook (c. 1889) is a salted paper print toned with watercolor on cream wove paper. The recto reproduces Gauguin's famous painting The Yellow Christ, while the verso shows a female bather. Gauguin's use of photography alongside his drawings shows his interest in new media and reproductive techniques.
Cultural Impact
Gauguin's use of photography alongside drawing demonstrates his experimental approach to artistic media.
Why It Matters
This photographic print with watercolor toning reproduces Gauguin's famous Yellow Christ painting.
