Created from high-quality wood, milled with simple clean lines and presented with a satin finish. Includes an off-white mount that will not discolour or fade with age. - Simple, elegant design - Premium, fine art paper with a gently textured surface - Handmade by specialist picture framers - FSC certified off-white mat / window mount - Delivered ready for hanging

"Haystacks in Brittany" is a striking and richly colored painting by the Post-Impressionist master Paul Gauguin, created in 1890. The scene captures the pastoral tranquility of rural Brittany, France, a region Gauguin frequented during the late 19th century. It distinctively features a stack of golden-yellow hay, robust and voluminous, that appears to glow under the influence of a warm sunlight. The hay is meticulously arranged and imposed against a deep blue sky, possibly indicating the clarity and serene atmosphere that characterizes the Brittany countryside.

The foreground is lush and verdant, with varying shades of green, denoting the fertile land. The texture of the haystack is rendered with broad, expressive brushstrokes, a technique characteristic of Gauguin’s style, emphasizing the tactile quality of the freshly harvested hay. The background reveals more haystacks, albeit smaller and less detailed, which create a sense of depth and perspective, leading the eye further into the landscape.

Additional details, such as the foliage surrounding the haystacks and the nuanced colors of the fields, reveal Gauguin’s keen observation and ability to infuse nature with a sense of spirituality and harmony. This scene is devoid of human figures, reinforcing a profound stillness and meditative quality that invites viewers to appreciate the simple yet majestic beauty of the rural environment.

- Artist Information: Paul Gauguin (1848-1903) was a leading figure in the Post-Impressionist movement. Known for his adventurous spirit and a desire to express the emotional and spiritual in art, he often diverged from naturalistic representation in favor of bold colors, simplified forms, and symbolic meanings.

- Artistic Movements: This painting is a quintessential example of Gauguin’s Post-Impressionist style, which sought to move beyond the light and color treatment of the Impressionists, delving into more abstract, symbolic, and expressive territory. It reflects his interest in capturing the spiritual essence of nature, often experimenting with color and form to convey a sense of inner vision or dreamlike quality.

- Creation Period: Completed in 1890, this painting falls within a period where Gauguin was deeply influenced by his stays in Brittany. During these years, he was experimenting with his symbolic approach and vibrant palette that would later culminate in his famed Tahitian works.

- Exhibitions and Location: "Haystacks in Brittany" resides in the Musée d'Orsay, Paris, a museum renowned for its extensive collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces. The painting is a part of various exhibitions celebrating Gauguin’s contribution to modern art, his unique perspective on nature, and his pioneering role in advancing the use of color and symbolism.

- Stylistic Evolution: This work is emblematic of Gauguin’s stylistic evolution away from the realism of his early works towards a more abstract and symbolically rich approach. It showcases his development of 'synthesism', a method that emphasizes simplification of form and the harmonious balance of color to evoke an emotional response.

- Cultural Influence: His time in Brittany was crucial in shaping his vision; the rural and somewhat exotic landscape offered him a retreat from the burgeoning industrialization of urban France. The essence captured in "Haystacks in Brittany" reflects Gauguin’s yearning for a purer and more authentic connection to nature and tradition.

- Symbolic Interpretation: Beyond a mere representation of haystacks, the painting may symbolize the artist's search for a simpler, more unadulterated existence, a theme prevalent throughout Gauguin’s oeuvre. The juxtaposition of the earthy stacks against a vivid sky could metaphorically represent the harmony between man-made and the natural world.

"Haystacks in Brittany" by Paul Gauguin is not merely a depiction of a rural scene but a deeply expressive and symbolic work reflective of Gauguin’s search for meaning and depth beyond the perceived realities. It stands as a testament to his innovative spirit and pivotal role in the Post-Impressionist era, continuing to captivate audiences with its harmonious colors and serene composition.