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Paul Gauguin

 

Paul Gauguin, Self-Portrait with Halo and Snake, 1889

CONTEXT CLUES:

The apples and snake in the painting are references to the Biblical garden of Eden, where they represent sin and temptation. In the top half of the painting, Gauguin looks away from the apple of temptation and has a halo, making him appear as a holy or good figure. However in the bottom half of the painting, he his holding the snake, which could represent embracing sin or evil.

Why do you think Gauguin would represent himself in such opposite ways in one picture?

More Gauguin self-portraits:









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