Ta matete (The Market) — History & Facts
In Ta matete (The Market), Paul Gauguin presents a lively market scene filled with vibrant colors. The painting features local Tahitian figures engaged in daily activities, surrounded by lush greenery and colorful produce. The use of bold, flat colors creates a striking contrast that draws the viewer's eye.
Gauguin's unique style captures the essence of Tahitian life and culture. This artwork is an oil on canvas, measuring approximately 73 x 92 cm. Gauguin employs a Post-Impressionist style, characterized by vivid colors and simplified forms. The composition is dynamic, with figures arranged in a way that suggests movement and interaction.
The painting's texture and brushwork add depth and interest to the overall scene. Ta matete (The Market) was created during Gauguin's time in Tahiti, where he sought to escape European society and immerse himself in a different culture. This work reflects his fascination with the local people and their way of life. An interesting fact about this painting is that it showcases Gauguin's departure from traditional Western art, embracing instead the colors and forms of the South Pacific.
This piece is a testament to his exploration of identity and culture.
More Artworks by Paul Gauguin

Self Portrait
Paul Gauguin

Three Tahitian Women
Paul Gauguin

When Will You Marry?
Paul Gauguin

Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going?
Paul Gauguin

Merahi metua no Tehamana
Paul Gauguin

Nave Nave Mahana
Paul Gauguin

Fatata te Miti (By the Sea)
Paul Gauguin

Three Tahitians
Paul Gauguin

Breton Girls Dancing,Pont-Aven
Paul Gauguin

Nave Nave Fenua
Paul Gauguin
More Genre Scene Art

Banquet of the Officers of the St George Civic Guard
Frans Hals

Rembrandt and Saskia in the Scene of the Prodigal Son
Rembrandt van Rijn

Bal du moulin de la Galette
Pierre-Auguste Renoir

Quadrille at the Moulin Rouge
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec

A Burial at Ornans
Gustave Courbet

When Will You Marry?
Paul Gauguin
