This portrait of Gauguin's young son Emile was made at the outset of the artist's career, under the tutelage of his landlord, the academic sculptor Jules-Ernest Bouillot. It was the only sculpture included in the fourth Impressionist exhibition in 1879, where it was praised as "a charming little [piece]...which attracted the interest of the public." Gauguin's emerging talent is evident in the handling of Emile's chubby cheeks and delicate curls. However, after making this likeness Gauguin gave up working in marble for more informal, and less expensive, materials, such as clay and wood.
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Credit Line:Gift of the Joseph M. May Memorial Association Inc., 1963
Accession Number:63.113
Mette Gauguin , Copenhagen ; Emile Gauguin , Copenhagen (from 1879, until 1922) ; Chester H. Johnson (until 1934; sale, Anderson Galleries, New York, November 14, 1934, no. 81; sold for $270); Mrs. Joseph M. May (1946–59) ; Joseph M. May Memorial Association, Inc. (until 1963; to MMA)
Paris. "4eme Exposition de peinture des Impressionistes," 1879.
Paris. "5eme Exposition de peinture des Impressionistes," 1880.
Copenhagen. Den Frie Udstilling. "Exhibition (3rd annual)," 1893.
Edinburgh. Royal Scottish Academy. "Gauguin," 1955.
London. Tate Britain. "Gauguin," 1955.
New York. Wildenstein and Co., Inc. "Gauguin: loan exhibition for the benefit of the Citizens' Committee for Children of New York City," April 5, 1956–May 5, 1956.
Art Institute of Chicago. "Gauguin: Paintings, Drawings, Prints, Sculpture," February 12–March 29, 1959.
New York. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. "Gauguin: Paintings, Drawings, Prints, Sculpture," April 23–May 31, 1959.
Copenhagen. Ordrupgaard. "Gauguin og van Gogh i København i 1893," December 12, 1984–February 24, 1985.
Copenhagen. Ordrupgaard. "Gauguin and Impressionism: Paintings, Sculpture and Ceramics, 1875–1887," August 30, 2005–November 20, 2005.
Fort Worth. Kimbell Art Museum. "Gauguin and Impressionism: Paintings, Sculpture and Ceramics, 1875–1887," December 18, 2005–March 26, 2006.
Vienna. Belvedere Museum. "Paul Gauguin," October 18, 2013–February 9, 2014.
Chicago. Art Institute of Chicago. "Gauguin: Artist as Alchemist," June 25, 2017–September 10, 2017.
Paul Gauguin (French, Paris 1848–1903 Atuona, Hiva Oa, Marquesas Islands)
1926
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