Accession Number
159071
Medium
Watercolor, with touches of gouache, over graphite, on tan wove paper
Dimensions
16.5 × 24.7 cm (6 1/2 × 9 3/4 in.)
Classification
watercolor
Credit Line
Gift of Edward McCormick Blair
Background & Context
Background Story
Paul Gauguin's Tahitian Hut (1891/93) is a drawing showing a traditional Tahitian dwelling. The hut is rendered with simplified forms and strong contours, the tropical vegetation surrounding it suggested with broad strokes. Gauguin was fascinated by the simple architecture of Tahiti, seeing in it a connection to a more authentic way of life.
Cultural Impact
Gauguin's depictions of Tahitian architecture reflect his idealization of the simple life in the South Pacific.
Why It Matters
This drawing of a Tahitian hut shows Gauguin's fascination with the simple architecture of the Pacific islands.
