The French Flower Appraisal

Framed Print of 'Te Tiare Farani' (The French Flower) by Paul Gauguin

This item is a framed print depicting a scene characteristic of Paul Gauguin's Tahitian period. The print features two figures and is commonly recognized as 'Te Tiare Farani' (The French Flower). The composition shows a dark-skinned male figure standing casually beneath what appears to be a tree or large plant, holding and looking into a stringed instrument resembling a mandolin or ukulele. He is adorned with a yellow neck covering or scarf and a reddish-orange wrap around his lower body. To his left, a dark-skinned female figure reclines, gazing upwards towards the standing man. She is partially draped in a similar reddish-orange fabric covering her chest and mid-section, while a dark green fabric covers her lower body and the surface she rests upon. A white bird, possibly a parrot, is depicted near her leg. The overall color palette is warm, with dominant earthy tones, reddish-oranges, and subtle greens, set against a lighter, somewhat faded background suggesting an outdoor tropical setting. The print exhibits a distinct stippled or cross-hatched texture visible upon closer inspection, indicative of a reproduction technique like a mezzotint or a textured print common in later reproductions, rather than an original painting or woodblock print. The print is housed within a black interior frame, which is then surrounded by a white mat, and finally by a faux-bamboo style outer frame. The bamboo frame appears to be made of wood, possibly stained or painted to mimic natural bamboo, showing signs of wear and age with some discoloration and scuffs, particularly noticeable in the bottom right corner. The print itself appears to be in good condition behind glass, with no immediately discernible rips, tears, or significant discoloration, though minor fading typical of older prints might be present. The visible texture and framing suggest it's a decorative art piece from the mid-to-late 20th century, reproducing an iconic Post-Impressionist work.