Who painted Maruru (Thank You)?

Maruru (Thank You) was painted by Paul Gauguin in 1894.

Where can I see Maruru (Thank You)?

Maruru (Thank You) is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Maruru (Thank You)?

Maruru (Thank You) is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Maruru (Thank You)

Paul Gauguin , 1894

Maruru (Thank You) is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Paul Gauguin. It dates from 1894 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:recto: in block, at lower right: MARURU PG O
Markings: Marked:verso: stamped in brown ink at center: PRINTED IN 1941 FROM THE ORIGINAL / WOODBLOCK IN THE COLLECTION OF / THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO FOR / THE PRINT AND DRAWING CLUB. [in rectangle]

About this work

Overview

Created in 1894, Maruru (Thank You) is a woodcut printed on coated wove paper by Paul Gauguin. The work belongs to the artist’s extensive foray into graphic media during the 1890s, a period when he was expanding beyond painting into printmaking, sculpture, and ceramics. It exemplifies his interest in the expressive possibilities of the woodcut form.

Subject & Meaning

The image presents a bearded, long‑haired figure in a loincloth seated on a rock, surrounded by additional figures against a backdrop of mountains and clouds. The composition’s simplified forms and exaggerated features convey a narrative tone that aligns with Gauguin’s Symbolist concerns, suggesting a ritual or communal scene rather than a literal depiction.

Technique & Style

Gauguin carved the design into a wooden block, then transferred the inked impression onto coated wove paper. The print is marked by strong, decisive lines and a limited, dark palette that heightens contrast. Its stylized figures and bold, flattened shapes reflect the Synthetist approach, privileging symbolic color and form over naturalistic detail.

History & Provenance

Maruru (Thank You) emerged during a prolific phase of Gauguin’s print experiments, when he was exploring wood engraving and woodcut alongside his more familiar media. Though specific ownership records are sparse, the print has been documented in catalogues of Gauguin’s graphic oeuvre and is cited as an example of his late‑nineteenth‑century graphic output.

Artist & collection

Artist

Paul Gauguin

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.