Skip to main content
Questions & Answers
Our trusted network of 1stDibs sellers answer common questions

What was the difference between van Gogh and Gauguin?

1 Answer
What was the difference between van Gogh and Gauguin?
The difference between van Gogh and Gauguin was in their artistic styles and preferred subject matter. Although both artists were self-taught and are now considered Post-Impressionists, you can draw many contrasts between their work. Van Gogh tended to apply thick layers of paint with a technique known as impasto, giving his work dramatic texture. On the other hand, Gauguin's paintings are smoother, but they are equally dramatic due to his use of vibrant, often unrealistic or unexpected colors. The primary goal of van Gogh was to express his feelings and emotions through his landscapes, portraits and still-lifes. Instead of self-expression, Gauguin concerned himself with infusing symbolism and spiritualism into his work. He was a pioneer of Primitivism, art that seeks to explore the relationship between early man and his environment. On 1stDibs, find a range of Vincent van Gogh and Paul Gauguin art.
1stDibs ExpertOctober 7, 2024
Shop for Paul Gauguin Art on 1stDibs
La Femme aux Figues
By Paul Gauguin
Located in New York, NY
Etching on laid paper, with full margins, 1894. Based on the inscription in upper left "Ches Seguin a St. Julien", the scene represented is in Armand Sequin's (Gaugiun's friend) B...
Category

Late 19th Century Post-Impressionist Figurative Prints

Materials

Etching

“La Femme aux Figues”
By Paul Gauguin
Located in Southampton, NY
Original etching and lavis in black ink on Arches watermarked crème laid paper by Paul Gauguin. Titled: “La Femme aux Figues” (The Woman with Figs). This impression is from the 3rd s...
Category

1970s Academic Figurative Prints

Materials

Archival Paper, Etching

DEAUX FEMMES MAORIES ACCROUPIES
By Paul Gauguin
Located in Santa Monica, CA
PAUL GAUGUIN (French 1848 - 1903) DEAUX FEMMES MAORIES ACCROUPIES. 1894-5 (Kornfield 26: Guerin 87 ) Zincograph (Lithograph) on smooth, cream imitation Japan paper, edition 200. Pu...
Category

1890s French School Figurative Prints

Materials

Lithograph

Paul Gauguin, "Untitled" Beach Scene, framed lithograph
By Paul Gauguin
Located in Chesterfield, MI
Paul Gauguin is a famous French Post-Impressionist most well known for his paintings created in Tahiti. This is probably from the middle years of his painting career known as his syn...
Category

Late 19th Century Figurative Prints

Materials

Lithograph

Paul Gauguin Self Portrait
By Paul Gauguin
Located in Dallas, TX
Paul Gauguin (French 1848 - 1903) Recto and Verso sketches Self-Portrait Recto with Portrait of a Woman on Verso. (One sheet). Self portrait shows Gauguin’s profile with eyes gazing...
Category

1870s Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper

L'Univers est créé
By Paul Gauguin
Located in London, GB
Gauguin came back to Paris in August 1893 from his first stay in Tahiti, In the luggage numerous drawings and preparatory work for a book designed by him. In collaboration with the writer Charles Morice, parts of the text "NOA NOA" were created in Paris in the winter of 1893-1894. The plan was for a preferred edition with 10 almost identical woodcuts, all of which were made in the winter of 1893-1894. According to the individual proto-prints by Gauguin, the artist left the artist to Louis Roy...
Category

1890s Figurative Prints

Materials

Woodcut

Shop All