Paul Gauguin and Synthetism

Paul Gauguin, 1894

According to H. H. Arnason, "Paul Gauguin (1848 - 1903) sought what he termed as a synthesis of form and color derived from the observation of the dominant element.  Gauguin advised fellow painters not to copy nature too much.  Art is an abstraction; derive this abstraction from nature dreaming before it, but think more of creating than the actual result."  Gauguin called his ideas Synthetism.  He wanted to combine the subject and idea with form and color in order to created a visionary quality in his paintings.  Subject matter combines with the formal elements of line, shape and color giving Gauguin his unique look.  Enjoy!