Box in polychromed wood, cloth, 30 x 11 cx 12 cm.
Painted ivory, 23 x 4,5 cm.
Initials « FH » engraved on side of the box.
Private collection.
It looks like the Maraa cave (also called Te-ana-pape-ō-vai-pōiri in Paea, Tahiti) is represented on a side of the box. On other sides, we can recognize the fruit of the plant Freycinetia arborea (also called ‘ie’ie in Polynesia) with its phallic shape.
This mysterious work shows multiple erotic allusions. In the leaves of Hippolyte’s sketchbooks, it is mentioned that it was a special order. It is probable that the box was realized before Gauguin left for the Marquesas Islands.
The purpose of this box is not certain but we can easily guess it if we consider the ivory object that perfectly fits inside.
It is one of the most emblematic works of this exhibition, as it represents a considerable number of patterns that one can find in Paul Gauguin’s work, spread over several years… which brings questions!... We can also read « Be playful », or « Box of sensual pleasure », which immediately evocate the « House of sensual pleasure ». On top of that, as with Gauguin, we can find numerous Egyptian influences… Therefore, we may ask these questions: who got inspired from whom? Did François Hippolyte and Paul Gauguin exchange ideas? Did one plagiarize the other?...
… From a truly fake story by Gaya…
Real technique: mixed media (box and object inside).