Noa Noa: The Tahitian Journal (Dover Fine Art, History of Art)
Category: Books,Arts & Photography,Graphic Design
Noa Noa: The Tahitian Journal (Dover Fine Art, History of Art) Details
Language Notes Text: English, French (translation) Read more From the Back Cover Paul Gauguin fled what he called "filthy Europe" in 1891 to what he hoped would be an unspoiled paradise, Tahiti. He painted 66 magnificent can vases during the first two years he spent there and kept notes from which he later wrote Noa Noa—a journal recording his thoughts and impressions of that time.Noa Noa—the most widely known of Gauguin's writings—is reproduced here from a rare early edition (1919), in a lucid translation capturing the artist's unpretentious style. Page after page reveals Gauguin's keen observations of Tahiti and its people, and his passionate struggle to achieve the inner harmony he expressed so profoundly on canvas. Gauguin's prose is as seductive as his paintings, filled with descriptions of warm seas, hidden lagoons, lush green forests, and beautiful Maori women.The journal is captivating reading, offering a compelling autobiographical fragment of the soul of a genius and a rare glimpse of Oceanian culture. The brief periods of happiness Gauguin found among the Tahitians are eloquently expressed in his narrative. We understand the motives that drove him and gain a deeper appreciation of his art.Today the manuscript provides unparalleled insight into Gauguin's thoughts as he strove to achieve spiritual peace, and into the wellsprings of a singular artistic style which changed the course of modern art. This wonderfully affordable edition—enhanced by 24 of Gauguin's South Seas drawings—makes a unique and passionate testament accessible to all art lovers. Read more
Reviews
One struggles to understand the complete and utter disregard of Gauguin's morality and compassion for the people whom he knew only love from. His selfish and ultimately his more 'civilized' priggishness only allowed him to disabuse his hosts, violate a young girl(s), and ultimately just confuse them about their complex feelings of hurt and rejection when they trusted him so completely.After reading his own words I feel today we would dismiss him as a brilliant painter who was also a predator.
