After visiting the Museum of Modern Art, I decided to analyze The Still Life with Puppies (1888) by Paul Gauguin. This painting caught my eye because of the simplicity and adorability the puppies brought. This was an oil on wood painting. Paintings have deeper meanings and can take on whole different implications than what is portrayed. One person can see something but another person can see something completely distinctive.

Just taking a glance at the painting I see three puppies drinking from a pot of water situated on top of a table. In addition, there are three goblets and fruit on the table. The color blue seems to be used the most as shown from the goblets, the cloth holding the fruits, and the tablecloth. If I were to look at this painting with a religious view, I could relate it to things that I have learned in my private catholic high school. Paul Gauguin could have been using the number 3 symbolically. In the biblical sense the concept of trinity consists of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. In addition, the three wise men had given Jesus three gifts when he was born.

When I first looked at the painting I saw that even though there were 3 goblets, one for each puppy, they were still sharing one pot of water to quench their thirst. This shows the compassion and connection they have towards one another. They are not attacking each other for drinking from the same pot. The puppies seem to be content with the pot even though they have the option of the fancy cups. There is also a sense of harmony and peacefulness to this painting.