Earthly Paradise

Paul Gauguin (French, 1848–1903) · France · 1888

This object was created collaboratively by Gauguin and his younger contemporary Émile Bernard. Their artistic experiments challenged hierarchical distinctions between fine art, grounded in aesthetics, and decorative art, associated with functionality. Bernard carved the left panel and possibly the bottom panel. Both artists incorporated animals, trees, and people from village life in Brittany, France, motifs they also used in their paintings.

Medium

Wood with paint, glass and metal

Dimensions

101 × 120 × 60.5 cm (39 3/4 × 47 1/4 × 23 13/16 in.)

Accession

2007.247

Credit line

Through prior gift of Henry Morgen, Ann G. Morgen, Meyer Wasser, and Ruth G. Wasser; purchased with funds provided by Edward M. Blair