Spirit of the Dead Watching

Circa 1892, Paul Gauguin painted this provocative work during his first stay in Tahiti, drawing from Polynesian spiritual beliefs and his relationship with his young Tahitian companion Teha'amana. The scene shows a nude figure lying face-down on a bed while a ghostly presence watches from behind. Gauguin claimed inspiration came after returning home to find Teha'amana terrified in the dark, believing she had encountered a spirit of the dead.

The painting blends Western nude traditions with Polynesian mythology, featuring phosphorescent flowers and a hooded figure representing the tupapau, spirits the Tahitians believed watched over the dead. The deep purple and yellow tones create an atmosphere of mystery and unease. Critics debated whether Gauguin exploited or honored Tahitian culture, a controversy that continues today.

The work now resides at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery in Buffalo, New York.