1894
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Mahana Atua (Day of the Gods) is a 1894 ink by Paul Gauguin, a Impressionism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This woodcut shows a chaotic, dreamlike scene with lots of swirling lines and dark shapes. In the center, a woman lies on the ground, surrounded by other figures—some standing, some crouching. The background is filled with jagged clouds, trees, and strange, almost ghostly faces. Everything looks rough and textured, like the artist scratched into the paper. The swirling lines and bold shapes suggest movement and energy, almost like a storm. The figures seem both real and mythical, blending into the wild landscape. If you like this style, look up woodcut to see how artists carve images into wood.
Eugène Henri Paul Gauguin (; French: ; 7 June 1848 – 8 May 1903) was a French painter, sculptor, printmaker, ceramist, and writer, whose work has been primarily associated with the Post-Impressionist and Symbolist movements.
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