Gauguin in Rome: among dreams, myth, and adventure in "The Diary of Noa Noa"

In the evocative setting of the Museo Storico della Infanteria in Rome, an exhibition promises to transform visitors into explorers of a timeless universe: "Gauguin. The Diary of Noa Noa and other Adventures," a perfectly orchestrated exhibition by Professor Vincenzo Sanfo, who guides visitors through the many faces and emotions of Paul Gauguin, the revolutionary French artist and dreamer. From September 6th to January 25th, the intertwining of art, literature, and personal experience unfolds in the Roman capital, thanks to 165 works from private collections in Italy, France, and Belgium, as well as museums from beyond the Alps and throughout Italy.

The exhibition focuses on a crucial moment in Gauguin's life: his first trip to Tahiti, masterfully narrated in the book "The Diary of Noa Noa," which forms the thematic centerpiece of the exhibition. In the diary, Gauguin sketches a fascinating tale where reality, myth, fantasy, and discovery intertwine; Here, the ancestral beliefs of the Polynesian islands emerge, stories that the artist immortalized, thanks also to the narrative intertwining with Tehura, his young companion who is the protagonist of many of his reflections and artistic creations. With the publication of "The Journal of Noa Noa," Gauguin established himself on the Parisian art scene of the time, causing a stir and offering guidance to those thirsting for novelty, freedom, and purity.

Wandering through the rooms, visitors encounter over 100 woodcuts, drawings, and lithographs that testify to the richness of Gauguin's Tahitian production. Among these, two paintings attributed to the artist stand out: the oil on canvas "Femme de Tahiti" (1891) and the watercolor "Paysage Tahitien." However, the true heart of the exhibition beats in the 23 woodcuts dedicated to "Noa Noa's Journal" (1893-94), created during his first stay in Polynesia and originally printed by Louis Roy and later by Daniel de Monfreid. These engravings capture all the awe and wonder that the primordial life of the islands exerted on Gauguin's restless soul, translating into images his personal odyssey, his fascination with the exotic, and the boundless sense of freedom that surrounded him in the last ten years of his life.

The exhibition does not end with the re-presentation of "Noa Noa's Journal." In another section, the public is captivated by the vibrant atmospheres of the 16 color lithographs from the "Ancien Culte Mahorie" series (1892), as well as two sculptures created in 1893: "Vase aux dieux tahitiens," displayed here in terracotta, and "Idole à la coquille," on display in Rome in bronze and set with a delicate mother-of-pearl. Symbolizing the fusion of European and Polynesian culture, these artifacts testify to how Gauguin was imbued with the spiritual influence of the environments in which he lived and how his art was a bridge between opposing worlds, a solid response with deep and authentic roots.

Another key piece of the exhibition is "Tehura," the patinated bronze mask of a Tahitian woman, from the Musée Despiau-Wlérick in France. This work is accompanied by a collection of 38 drawings, where sketches, anatomical studies, portraits, and details of the animal world convey the artist's artistic research, constantly in dialogue with the nature and spirituality of the place. The exhibition also features a photographic section dedicated exclusively to Polynesia, "The Islands of Tahiti, the Primordial Soul," produced by Tahiti Tourisme in collaboration with Leica Camera Italia. Here, visitors discover lesser-known corners of the stunning Pacific archipelagos, thanks to the images of Luigi Chiurchi and Pietro Ienca, which transport them to the landscapes that so deeply influenced Gauguin.

The exhibition also includes a glimpse into the artist's final moments. The exhibition also features facsimile lithographic prints from "Avant et Après," Gauguin's last book, completed just two months before his death in 1903 and published posthumously. This diary-manifesto is packed with notes, reflections on art, and profound reflections on friendships, shedding light on the man behind the artist and his relentless existential exploration.

Wandering through the rooms, visitors encounter not only Gauguin's world, but also that of his friends and collaborators. Around forty works by twelve artists who had close ties with him enrich the exhibition. They range from twelve color lithographs by Vincent van Gogh, a well-known companion, to Jean-François Millet, Adolphe Beaufrère, Louis Anquetin, and the masters of the Nabis Group of Pont-Aven in Brittany. This artistic and personal contamination testifies to the importance of relationships in Gauguin's creative journey and highlights his central role in the European art scene between the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

The exhibition was made possible thanks to the production of Navigare srl and an initiative of the Ministry of Defense, Difesa Servizi S.p.A, with the patronage of the Lazio Region and the City of Rome, Department of Culture. The exhibition "Gauguin. The Diary of Noa Noa and other Adventures" will be open Monday through Friday from 9:30 am to 7:30 pm, and on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from 9:30 am to 8:30 pm. This event serves as a crossroads of experiences for the Roman public and tourists, inviting everyone to be inspired by an exploration that goes far beyond visual art: it is an invitation to discover the passions, fears, loves, and adventures that marked Gauguin, restoring his Tahiti to us through the eyes and heart of an artist who always wanted to be an outsider, never pigeonholed, always dreaming and escaping towards new horizons.