Martinique Landscape

Fan design rendered in gouache, pastel and watercolour. The subject depicted is a landscape on the island of Martinique.

In 1887, Gauguin travelled to Martinique along with painter Charles Laval, supposedly in search of new and 'exotic' subject matter to form the focus of his art. Gauguin was particularly fascinated with female workers who would transport goods from the plantations to the markets (known locally as 'porteuses').  Gauguin continued to reference Martinique and its culture in his art long after the visit. His travels in Martinique and Tahiti are considered to mark what he labelled a "decisive experience" and turning point in his career as a Post-Impressionist artist .
cf. Feller Ives, C. 'The Lure of the Exotic: Gauguin in New York Collections' (New York: Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2002)