Les Parau Parau

Paul Gauguin’s Les Parau Parau (translated as "The Words of the Talkers") depicts a group of Polynesian women engaged in quiet conversation, their postures and gazes conveying a sense of community and reflection. The composition is structured with a balance of vivid, saturated colors and areas of tranquil shade, emphasizing the interplay between figures and the lush tropical setting. The women’s clothing and gestures suggest a blending of traditional and colonial influences, while the relaxed poses and sparse details lend an enigmatic quality to the scene. Gauguin’s flattened perspective and bold color palette create a harmonious yet introspective depiction of social connection and cultural identity.