Gauguin Exhibit at Boston's MFA
Khanh Nguyen M'06
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| GauguinTahiti |
Gauguin Tahiti is an extraordinary exhibition commemorating the works of Paul Gauguin (1848-1903). By a fantastic coordination between the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and its Paris counterparts the Musee d’Orsay, Paris and the Reunion des Musees Nationaux, over 150 pieces of Gauguin’s artwork as well as Tahitian artifacts thought to have influenced the artist have come together in this exhibition.
Gauguin was born in France but lived in Peru as a child and sailed to many parts of the world with the merchant marine. In 1871, after being released from military service, he worked in Paris as a stockbroker, married, and had children while experiencing art as a “Sunday painter.” During his early years, he was influenced by Vincent van Gogh and other impressionists. In 1883, after growing increasing dissatisfied with modern civilization in regard to both his life and art, he desired to leave Paris for a more uncorrupted world.
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| Gauguin self-portait |
“You know that I have…Inca blood in me, and it’s reflected in everything I do. It’s the basis of my personality. I try to confront rotten civilization with something more natural, based on saveragery.” -- Paul Gauguin, 1889
The exhibit presents Gaugin’s reflection of an unspoiled Tahiti before it’s Westernization under French colonial rule. The exhibition begins in Brittany, France in 1888, before Tahiti, and includes paintings, sculptures, and wood carvings from both his first trip (1891-1893) and second trip (1895-1903). For the first time since 1898, eight paintings originally created to be shown with his masterpiece “Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going?” are exhibited together. This exhibit is truly a rare opportunity in that the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston is the only US venue and the exhibition commemorates a century since the master artist’s death.
The MFA is open every day of the week:
Sat- Sun 10AM to 445 PM
Mon-Tues 10 AM-445 PM
Wed-Fry 10 AM-945 PM (Thurs and Fri after 5 PM only the West Wing is open)
The Gauguin Tahiti exhibit is open between February
29 through June 20, 2004.
Mon-Tues 10 AM-3:30 PM (last entry)
Wed-Fri 10 AM-830 PM (last entry)
Sat-Sun 10 AM-330 PM (last entry)
*Last entry is 75 min prior to Museum closing.
Admission Fees
MFA members Free
Adults $7 plus $15 general admission
Seniors/Students $7 plus $13 general admission
Children 7-17 $7.50 (free general admission)
Children under 6 Free
Free Slide Introductions
to “Gauguin Tahiti”. These series of half hour talks
discuss background of the artist and suggest ways to understand and approach
his work.
Sundays May2, 23, June 13; Time: 1-2 PM
Saturdays April 10, 17, May 8, 15, June 5; Time: 1-2 PM