In the Waves (Dans les Vagues) - Paul Gauguin

A striking 1889 Post-Impressionist work by Paul Gauguin, featuring a female figure immersed in stylised, rhythmic waves.

Painted in 1889 during his stay in Le Pouldu, Brittany, this work displays Paul Gauguin's departure from the observational techniques of Impressionism. The composition features a female figure, often identified as Juliette Huet, submerged in a sea rendered with rhythmic, swirling brushwork. The artist employs a non-naturalistic colour palette, where the deep green of the water contrasts with the pale, luminous skin tones of the figure. Her red hair provides a secondary point of visual interest, echoing the fluid motion of the waves.

Gauguin utilised a technique known as Cloisonnism, characterised by flat areas of colour and bold outlines. This approach flattens the pictorial space, prioritising decorative effect over traditional perspective. The figure is positioned with her back to the viewer, her arms raised in a gesture that suggests both immersion and surrender to the elements. The sea is not depicted as a realistic body of water but as a series of stylised, repetitive patterns that envelop the subject.

This piece reflects the artist's interest in the synthesis of memory and imagination. By moving away from the direct representation of nature, Gauguin sought to express internal states through simplified forms and symbolic colour choices. The work remains a clear example of his transition toward the synthetic style that would define his later career in the South Pacific. The surface texture of the paint is visible, revealing the deliberate application of pigment to create the undulating effect of the ocean. The figure appears almost as an extension of the water itself, suggesting a unity between the human form and the natural environment. This print captures the specific tonal qualities of the original oil painting, preserving the contrast between the cool, dark water and the warm, pale flesh of the bather.