Ramblings of a Wannabe Painter

“Criticism is our censorship….” So begins one of the greatest invectives against criticism ever written by an artist. Paul Gauguin (1848–1903) wrote “Racontars de Rapin” only months before he died in 1903, but the essay remained unpublished until 1951. Through discussions of numerous artists, both his contemporaries and predecessors, Gauguin unpacks what he viewed as the mistakes and misjudgments behind much of art criticism, revealing not only how wrong critics’ interpretations have been, but also what it would mean to approach art properly–to really look.

This new translation by French writer and academic Donatien Grau includes an introduction that situates the essay within Gauguin’s written oeuvre, as well as a selection of works to illustrate the text itself. Through Gauguin’s final piece of writing we see the artist in the full throes of passion–for his work, for his art, for the art of others and against anyone who would stand in his way.

As the inaugural publication in David Zwirner Books’ new Ekphrasis reader series, Ramblings of a Wannabe Painter sets a perfect tone for the books to come. Poised between writing, art and criticism, Gauguin brings together many different worlds, all of which should be considered for any meaningful discussion of art. With the express hope of encouraging open exchange between the world of writing and that of the visual arts, David Zwirner Books is proud to be presenting this new edition of a lost masterpiece.