Gauguin

An unprecedented exploration of Gauguins works in various media, from works on paper to clay and furniture Paul Gauguin (18481903) was a creative force above and beyond his legendary work as a painter. Surveying the full scope of his career-spanning experiments in different media and formatsclay, works on paper, wood, and paint, as well as furniture and decorative friezesthis volume delves into his enduring interest in craft and applied arts, reflecting on their significance to his creative process. Gauguin: Artist as Alchemist draws on extensive new research into the artists working methods, presenting him as a consummate craftsmanone whose transmutations of the ordinary yielded new and remarkable forms. Beautifully designed and illustrated, this book includes essays by an international team of scholars who offer a rich analysis of Gauguins oeuvre beyond painting. By embracing other art forms, which offered fewer dominant models to guide his work, Gauguin freed himself from the burden of artistic precedent. In turn, these groundbreaking creative forays, especially in ceramics, gave new direction to his paintings. The authors insightful emphasis on craftsmanship deepens our understanding of Gauguins considerable achievements as a painter, draftsman, sculptor, ceramist, and printmaker within the history of modern art. Distributed for the Art Institute of Chicago Exhibition Schedule: The Art Institute of Chicago (06/25/1709/10/17) Grand Palais, Paris (10/09/1701/21/18)