Visions of an Enduring World: Jacoulet and the People of Oceania

Nature

In Jacoulet’s portraits the natural world is utilized as a floating adornment. During his travels to the islands he would sketch the flowers and foliage he encountered and adorned his portraits with them. The oversized flowers and foliage would often hover above and behind his subjects with no direct relationship. Yet the natural world has a large influence on Pacific Island culture as it often influenced local views of the universe and society. In Micronesia the organization of society is influenced largely by relationships to the sea as residents rely on it for food and must travel it for interisland exchange to survive. Material objects of Micronesia are often concerned with sea spirits, canoes, and fishing.

How would you describe the relationship between Jacoulet’s nature-based images with Pacific Island material objects?

UN HOMME DE YAP. QUEST CAROLINES (A YAP MAN. WEST CAROLINES)
Paul Jacoulet
Japan, c. 1936
Woodblock print
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Richard W. Child
1982.133.10
















FISH TRAP
New Caledonia, Numea, 20th century
Spherical wood frame with fiber twine and adorned with cowry shells
Gift of Richard Kelton
1981.136.20



















UNE JEUNE FILLE DE FIDJI, OCEANIE (A YOUNG FIJI GIRL. OCEANIA)
Paul Jacoulet
Japan, c. 1935
Woodcut print
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Richard W. Child
1982.133.2

















NATURAL FIBERS WOVEN HAND FAN 
Micronesia, 19th century
Woven plant fiber and feathers with yellow and brown-purple dye and tortoise shells
Gift of David L. Kamansky
2005.42.13
































 

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