Shop art print and framed art "Arearea (Joyeusetes)" Deux tahitiennes avec un chien. by Paul Gauguin

Arearea: a hymn to Tahitian joy

Arearea, also known as Joyeusetés, was born of Gauguin's desire to break away from Western civilization and find a primitive authenticity he thought had disappeared in Europe. Arriving in Tahiti in 1891, he was immediately seduced by the island's beauty, culture and Polynesian traditions. He drew inspiration from the lush landscapes, local myths and legends, and everyday Tahitian life to create works imbued with a mystical and symbolic atmosphere. Arearea is part of this approach, expressing Gauguin's idealized vision of Tahitian life, an earthly paradise where harmony and serenity reign. Through this canvas, painted in 1892, he seeks to capture the very essence of the "arearea" spirit, which means "joyeusetés" or "entertainments" in Tahitian, and evokes a form of simple, spontaneous happiness.

Arearea : A symphony of colors and shapes

The 75 cm high by 94 cm wide oil on canvas features a bold composition and vibrant colors. It features a palette dominated by reds and oranges, greens and blues. Gauguin's use of vivid flat tints and black outlines is reminiscent of Japanese art and the prints he admired. Perspective is flattened, forms simplified and stylized, giving the scene an almost unreal, decorative dimension. The space is organized in successive planes, guiding the viewer's gaze from the front to the background. The sinuous tree frames the scene, creating an impression of intimacy and mystery.

At the heart of the scene proposed by Arearea: figures and mystery

In the center of the painting, two Tahitian women sit on the grass, occupying a prominent place in the composition. Dressed in colorful dresses, their postures, gestures and facial expressions exude an impression of calm and serenity. A red dog, probably a representation of the artist's own dog, stands beside them. In the background, other figures participate in a ritual around a divine idol, suggesting the presence of a spiritual and mystical dimension. Gauguin plays with contrasts between areas of light and shadow to accentuate the enigmatic atmosphere of the scene.

Symbolism and interpretation in Arearea

Arearea is rich in symbols that hark back to Polynesian culture and beliefs. The fictional idol, a representation of a deity, evokes the deep connection between Tahitians and the spiritual world. The ritual in the background can be interpreted as a celebration of life and a connection with the spirits. The bright colors and floral motifs symbolize abundance and the idealized vision of tropical nature. The two women in the foreground represent the beauty and sensuality of Tahitian women, but also wisdom and spirituality. Gauguin deliberately leaves an element of ambiguity in his work, inviting the viewer to interpret the symbols and let himself be transported by the painting's atmosphere.

The legacy of Arearea

Arearea occupies an important place in Gauguin's career. This painting testifies to his quest for a new art, freed from academic conventions and inspired by non-Western cultures. This canvas, preserved at the Musée d'Orsay, paved the way for the 20th century, notably for the Fauves and Expressionists, who admired his freedom of composition, bold use of color and ability to express intense emotions.

Arearea remains today an emblematic work of post-impressionism and a symbol of the exotic dream that marked the late 19th century. Despite the controversies surrounding Gauguin's life and work, Arearea continues to fascinate and question, inviting us to reflect on our relationship with nature, spirituality and otherness.

This artwork is a painting from the modern period. It belongs to the impressionism style.

« "Arearea (Joyeusetes)" Deux tahitiennes avec un chien. » is kept at Musee d'Orsay, Paris, France.