Siesta, painted by Paul Gauguin in 1892 during his stay in Tahiti, is an everyday scene capturing a moment of quiet and intimacy in the lives of Polynesian women. The work portrays a group of female figures resting in the shade, immersed in the afternoon break that gives the painting its title. Gauguin uses warm, earthy, saturated colours to evoke the tropical light and the slow, contemplative atmosphere of the island.
The relaxed poses and calm expressions of the women convey a sense of naturalness and harmony, far from the European pace of life. The artist combines simplified forms, bold outlines and a decorative balance that characterises his mature style. The painting is not just an ethnographic observation, but also a reflection on the relationship between nature, body and time, filtered through Gauguin’s idealised vision of the Tahitian world. Siesta is now considered one of the most serene and contemplative moments of his output.
Unique quality material
Print on handmade Amalfi paper Sheet size: 29 x 42 cm (11.4 x 16.5 in) With frame: 31 x 44 cm (12.2 x 17.3 in) Material: artwork printed on very fine handmade Amalfi paper with deckled edges Frame: light brown beech wood and wood pulp, handmade
How an Amalfi art print is made, what the frame is like, what museum glass is, how long shipping takes, and how returns work: we’ve gathered all the answers on a single page.
