Question

Gauguin often referred to this concept as trying to paint what your
look like, which he saw as much more powerful than painting only what the surface of the subject appears.

Answer 1

The concept you’re referring to is often associated with Paul Gauguin's approach to art, which emphasizes the importance of capturing the essence or inner truth of a subject rather than simply depicting its physical appearance. This can be connected to what his contemporaries and later theorists described as "symbolism" or "expressionism." Gauguin believed that through color, composition, and abstraction, an artist could communicate deeper emotional or spiritual truths. This idea aligns with the notion of moving beyond mere representation to evoke a more profound understanding of the subject’s character or experience.