Who painted The Royal End?

The Royal End was painted by Paul Gauguin in 1896.

Where can I see The Royal End?

The Royal End is held by J. Paul Getty Museum.

What movement is The Royal End?

The Royal End is associated with Post-Impressionism.

Can I buy a print of The Royal End?

Museum-quality prints of The Royal End are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

The Royal End

Paul Gauguin , 1896

The Royal End is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Paul Gauguin. It dates from 1896 and is held in the collection of the J. Paul Getty Museum.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1892 during Paul Gauguin’s inaugural stay in Tahiti, Arii Matamoe (also known as The Royal End) is an oil painting executed on a coarse cloth support. The work presents a stark, theatrical scene that contrasts sharply with the artist’s earlier tropical landscapes, marking a decisive moment in his Pacific period.

Subject & Meaning

The composition centers on a severed male head placed on a pillow, surrounded by figures who appear to be mourners. Although the tableau does not correspond to any documented Tahitian funerary practice, it is thought to echo the recent death of King Pōmare V in 1891, shortly after Gauguin’s arrival, and to explore themes of mortality, exoticism, and cultural otherness.

Technique & Style

Gauguin applied the oil in thick, impasto strokes, allowing the reds, greens, and ochres to stand out against the muted background. The heavy texture gives the surface a tactile quality, while the simplified forms and flattened perspective reinforce a dreamlike, almost theatrical atmosphere.

History & Provenance

The painting was likely intended to provoke a reaction from Parisian audiences upon Gauguin’s return, a motive suggested by curators at the J. Paul Getty Museum. Since its creation, Arii Matamoe has passed through several private collections before entering public holdings, where it continues to be studied for its provocative subject matter and its place in Gauguin’s Tahitian oeuvre.

Deathbed portrait of Aristide 'Atiti' Suhas, died 5 March 1892, 1.5 years old, Paul Gauguin

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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.