Paul Gaguin Manao Tupau Analysis

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My first reaction to Paul Gaguin’s Manao Tupapau was that the painting is very intense. According to Gaguin, Manao Tapapau has a double meaning: “either the girl thinks of the spirit or the spirit think of her.” The subject matter gives off this mysterious and sinister impression. To describe the scene of the painting, a young Tahitian girl is the center of the image, laying down on her stomach, supposedly frightened. Gaguin writes that the viewer can see in her face that she is fearful, however, her facial expression seems relaxed in my opinion. Her body exhibits more of state of distress. Her naked body is stiff, tightened and awkward, her head is down. Her hands are on her pillow, on each side of her head as if she is pushing away and hiding

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