Nave Nave Moe

Paul Gauguin is one of the most iconic painters of the 19th century, best known for his innovative use of color and form, and his interest in exotic subjects and landscapes. One of his most famous paintings is Nave Nave Moe, which was painted in 1894 and is now held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. In this article, we will explore the history and significance of this important work of art.

Nave Nave Moe, which translates to "Sweet Dreams" in Tahitian, was painted during Gauguin's second trip to Tahiti. Gauguin had first traveled to Tahiti in 1891, hoping to escape the constraints of European society and immerse himself in the culture and landscape of the South Pacific. His time in Tahiti inspired some of his most famous works, including the famous painting "Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going?".

However, Gauguin found himself struggling to make ends meet in Tahiti, and he returned to France in 1893. He was deeply unhappy there, however, and longed to return to the tropical paradise he had left behind. In 1894, he managed to scrape together enough money to make the journey back to Tahiti, where he spent the next two years creating some of his most beautiful and powerful paintings.

Nave Nave Moe was painted during this period, and it is a reflection of Gauguin's fascination with the sensual and erotic aspects of Tahitian culture. The painting depicts two Tahitian women lying on a bed, surrounded by tropical plants and flowers. One of the women is looking directly at the viewer, while the other is lost in thought, her gaze turned inward. Both women are naked, except for a few pieces of jewelry and some flowers in their hair.

The painting is a celebration of the beauty of the female form, as well as the lushness and fecundity of the tropical landscape. Gauguin's use of color is particularly striking, with vibrant pinks, purples, and yellows creating a sense of warmth and sensuality. The bodies of the women are rendered with an almost sculptural quality, as if they are carved from the same exotic wood as the bed they are lying on.

The painting has been interpreted in many different ways over the years. Some have seen it as a celebration of the erotic power of women, while others have seen it as a critique of colonialism and the way Western culture has exploited and exoticized non-Western cultures. Gauguin himself said that the painting was meant to be "an allegory of the dreams of the Polynesian," suggesting that it was intended to represent the Tahitian people's own dreams and aspirations.

Regardless of how one interprets the painting, there is no denying its power and beauty. It is a testament to Gauguin's skill as a painter, as well as his deep appreciation for the cultures and landscapes he encountered during his travels. Nave Nave Moe is a work of art that transcends time and place, inviting viewers to step into a world of sensuality and beauty that is at once exotic and familiar.

In recent years, the painting has come under scrutiny for its depiction of nudity and the female form. Some have accused Gauguin of objectifying and exoticizing Tahitian women, while others have argued that the painting should be viewed in its historical context, as a reflection of the attitudes and beliefs of the time in which it was created. There is no easy answer to this debate, but what is clear is that Nave Nave Moe remains a deeply influential and important work of art, one that continues to inspire and challenge viewers to this day.