Woman with a Fan: Paul Gauguin's Heavenly Vairaumati--a Parable of Immortality.

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  • Author(s): Hargrove, June
  • Source:
    Art Bulletin. Sep2006, Vol. 88 Issue 3, p552-566. 15p. 2 Color Photographs, 5 Black and White Photographs.
  • Additional Information
    • Subject Terms:
      GAUGUIN, Paul, 1848-1903; SPIRITUAL life; THEMES in painting; FIGURE painting; ART critics
    • Abstract:
      This article interprets Paul Gauguin's painting "Woman with a Fan." Because of Gauguin's disagreement with the world of art critics, he removed himself to the Marquesas Islands. The author argues that the woman who is depicted in the picture is meant to be an invocation of Vairaumati, who is the god Oro's mortal wife. The author claims that as Gauguin was ill and nearing death, he examined his beliefs and spirituality more closely. This painting, despite his claims to the contrary, holds just as much symbolism as his earlier work.