Gauguin's "Nirvana": Painters at Le Pouldu, 1889-90 [Hardcover]

Mr. Eric Zafran (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2001 | ISBN-10: 0300089546 | ISBN-13: 978-0300089547 | Edition: 1St Edition

Shortly before Gauguin made his first Tahitian journey in 1891, he spent nearly two years in the remote Breton fishing village of Le Pouldu. Seeking creative isolation in a "primitive" setting, he pursued his art accompanied by several followers. One of them was the Dutch painter Meyer de Haan, who was able to pay the living expenses in Le Pouldu and was also knowledgeable in literary and philosophical matters that fascinated Gauguin. Their association resulted in some of Gauguin's most remarkable works, including the Wadsworth Atheneum's symbolist portrait of de Haan inscribed "Nirvana". This and the rich variety of paintings and sculpture by Gauguin produced in 1889-1890 are the focus of this beautiful book. Gauguin and de Haan settled into an inn at Le Pouldu run by an attractive unwed mother named Marie Henry, who began a liaison with de Haan despite the fact that he was a sickly hunchback. The intensity of relations between Gauguin and de Haan is reflected in many of the works, including frescoes, which they installed in the inn. Gauguin's time in Le Pouldu was crucial to the advancement of his art, and the vivid Breton subjects and personality of Meyer de Haan remained in his imagination to reappear even during his later Tahitian period. In the book several distinguished experts draw on previously unavailable sources to examine in depth the history of this period, Gauguin's relationship with de Haan, their interest in religion and exotic cultures, and the meaning of the many innovative symbolist works they produced. This book is published in conjunction with an exhibition at the Wadsworth Atheneum, Hartford, Connecticut, from 26th January to 29th April 2001.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Gauguin's "Nirvana: Portrait of Meyer de Haan" at the Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford, CT, is the centerpiece of this volume of scholarly essays, published in connection with an exhibition there. The book and exhibition, both coordinated by Zafran, the Wadsworth's curator of European painting and sculpture, concentrate on the years 1889-90, which Gauguin spent chiefly in the Breton coastal village of Le Pouldu in the company of his pupil, de Haan. This time of isolation, during which "Nirvana" was painted, just preceded his first trip to Tahiti and was a formative period for Gauguin's mature style. Numerous color plates illustrate the work of Gauguin and his contemporaries during these two years, as well as likely influences on his developing style. The accompanying essays, by noted experts, are written at a level of detail that makes the book most suitable for scholarly audiences. A fine addition to academic and specialized art history collections. Kathryn Wekselman, M.Ln., Cincinnati
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From the Publisher

This book is published in conjunction with an exhibition at the Wadsworth Atheneum, Hartford, Connecticut, from January 26 to April 29, 2001.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Yale University Press; 1St Edition edition (March 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0300089546
• ISBN-13: 978-0300089547
• Product Dimensions: 11.6 x 10 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,448,759 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

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5.0 out of 5 stars Examines the work of painters at Le Pouldu from 1889-90, April 30, 2001

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Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gauguin's "Nirvana": Painters at Le Pouldu, 1889-90 (Hardcover)

Gauguin's Nirvana provides an examination of the work of painters at Le Pouldu from 1889-90, considering Gauguin's friendship with Jacob Meyer de Haan, Van Gogh, and other contemporaries. Previously unavailable sources are used by experts who examine Gauguin's relationship with de Haan, their mutual interests, and the symbolist paintings they produced. An intriguing, involving survey.