How does Paul Gauguin's "Tahitian Women (On the Beach)" relate to Orientalism?

Answer 1

orientalism?

Answer 2

Hi Alberich! Well, the funniest anecdote I've heard is only second hand, I'm afraid, but it was experienced by my best friend, so I can promise you it REALLY happened. My friend (who is Estonian) was holidaying back in Tallinn some years ago, and one night, he attended a performance of Mozart's "Magic Flute." The performance was wonderful, the orchestra was superb...and not surprisingly, the audience was transfixed by the action on stage. But my friend was mesmerised by what was happening OFF-stage...apparently, unbeknown to the two participants, there was an explicit shadow play occurring there behind the curtain - an X-rated "sub plot," if you like...and all my friend could do was watch in horrified fascination! And to this day, he still can't understand why he was the only one in the audience who noticed! Needless to say, nowadays "The Magic Flute" evokes some rather unorthodox associations for him! Hafwen x

Answer 3

Orientalism is the study of Near and Far Eastern societies and cultures, languages and peoples by Western scholars. It can also refer to the imitation or depiction of aspects of Eastern cultures in the West by writers, designers and artists.

So though technically not orient, Tahiti is exotic enough to make any painting depicting 'traditional scenes' relate to orientalism.

Another thing is: Gauguin and van Gogh both were collectors of japanese wood prints, you could say very early Manga :) . This style found it's way into their work. Just look at what makes you think of Manga in that painting and you found your answer. They got the use of black (in that way) from the orient.

Answer 4

Noa Noa: The Tahitian Journal of Paul Gauguin
I think that this book is great and explains his feelings and thoughts of his repulsion towards the overindulgent Western World.
It helps with the recognition of the Tahitians as being a whole people, Civilized,Cultured ,and not Barbaric,which was considered of them at the time in the West.
I believe that he aided them with this and other struggles for Independence.
http://books.google.com/books?id=yXSFWak3ExMC&pg=PA1&sig=wdInaRBsowepqPAubjkAOSQZOOM#PPA68,M1
Another book is "The Word, the Pen, and the Pistol: literature and power in Tahiti" By Robert Nicole
http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=nfIuLR_o25oC&oi=fnd&pg=PP11&ots=g_NwbJi8ZX&sig=ifPPZoYg0E6FvXDJgRCC83mJ4h0#PPP10,M1
http://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=+Paul+Gauguin%27s+relationship++to+Orientalism%3F+&btnG=Search&hl=en&lr=
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Gauguin
Hope this helps,
Cheers!