Still Life With Profile Of Laval (1886)

"Still Life With Profile Of Laval" is a notable work by the French post-Impressionist artist Paul Gauguin, painted in 1886. This painting beautifully blends the traditional still life with an intriguing portrait, creating a unique and layered composition. At the forefront of the painting, an array of vibrant, richly colored fruits, including apples, a pear, and what appears to be mangoes, are casually arranged on a draped cloth. Their vivid red, green, and yellow hues draw the eye and demonstrate Gauguin's strong sense of color and form.To the left, adding an extraordinary and personal touch to what might be a customary still life, is a ceramic figure. This figure, with its arms open wide, introduces an exotic and almost totemic element to the scene, hinting at Gauguin's later fascination with non-Western art forms.Behind this, blending subtly into the tapestry of colors, is the profile of Charles Laval, not just any figure, but another artist and Gauguin's close companion at the time. Laval's presence in the painting, shown in contemplative profile against a textured and dynamically painted background curtain, suggests a deep personal connection and possibly Gauguin's reflections on his own artistic journey and friendships.This painting stands out not just for its visual appeal but for its depth and the story it hints at beyond the visible—the intertwining of life, art, and friendship.