Manao tupapau (She Thinks of the Ghost or The Ghost Thinks of Her), from L’estampe originale - Paul Gauguin

Gift of Edward McCormick Blair

"Manao tupapau (She Thinks of the Ghost or The Ghost Thinks of Her), from L’estampe originale" by Paul Gauguin (1894) Lithograph in black ink on ivory wove paper, discolored to light brown.

Commentary

"Manao tupapau (She Thinks of the Ghost or The Ghost Thinks of Her), from L’estampe originale" by Paul Gauguin (1894) invites a close look at how form and feeling work together. The print-based method rewards close viewing, where line, t exture, and contrast do most of the expressive work. Themes to notice include lithograph. This piece is held in the source collection's Prints and Drawings collection. Paul Gauguin is the artist behind this work. A useful anchor for reading the piece: Paul Gauguin (French, 1848-1903) published by L'Estampe originale (French, 1893-1895). The work is cataloged within a France cultural context. How to look at this work: It is cataloged as lithograph, which gives a clue to how the museum frames the object. Its medium (Lithograph in black ink on ivory wove paper, discolored to light brown) affects texture, durability, and how detail reads at different distances. Its listed dimensions (42.3 × 55.5 cm (16 11/16 × 21 7/8 in.)) suggest how intimate or monumental it may feel in person. Subject cues from the catalog include lithograph. Compare this reading with the museum record at the source collection: https://www.artic.edu/artworks/159108

Sources: Art Institute of Chicago; Art Institute of Chicago / Public Records; Art Institute of Chicago Collection Data