Paul GAUGUIN (1848 - 1903). Manao Tupapau. She thinks of the ghost the Spirit of the Dead watches over. 1894. Lithograph on chine paper. A very fine proof, probably a pass, outside the edition of 100 copies for the Estampe Originale, with no dry stamp, signature or number. Slight lack in the right edge, some wavy folds, very slight trace on the margins. Framed. (Guérin 50, E.Mongan, E.Kornfeld, H. Joachim 23C) Subject : Height 18 - Width 27.1 cm Leaflet: Height 32.5 - Width 47.5 cm This lithograph is based on the subject of a painting done during a first stay in Tahiti (1892). According to Guérin, the meaning of the composition is explained by Gauguin in Noa,Noa, Paris, Crès 1924,p.92,93. "One night, returning from Papeete, he enters his hut, the lamp is out, the room in darkness, lighting a match, he sees... motionless, naked, lying flat on the bed, her eyes disproportionately enlarged with fear, Tehura was looking at me and seemed not to recognize me... it seemed to me that a phosphorescent glow was flowing from her staring eyes..." Two proofs of this lithograph are held by the Bibliothèque nationale de France and the Art Institute of Chicago. Expert : Madame Sylvie Collignon.