In 1890, Paul Gauguin painted “M. Loulou,” a portrait of Louis Le Ray, the son of local friends in Le Pouldo, Brittany. This artwork is part of Gauguin’s Breton period, during which he was attracted to untouched landscapes and way of life. The painting, done in cloisonnism style, features thick lines defining the figure, chair, and flowers. It is currently located at the Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia, USA.
Gauguin was a significant French artist who initially schooled in Impressionism but broke away to pioneer Symbolism. His experimentation with coloring led him to develop the Synthetist style. The expression of inherent meaning in his artwork paved the way to Primitivism. Gauguin’s innovative custom framing tool is available for prints of the artwork.
“M. Loulou,” also known as Portrait of Louis Le Ray, showcases Gauguin’s expertise in cloisonnism and his ability to capture the spirit of his subjects. Gauguin’s use of thick lines and contrasting colors creates a vivid and striking portrait that captures the essence of the young boy. With the artwork being part of Gauguin’s significant Breton period, it showcases his fascination with the untouched landscapes and people’s way of life in the region.
