This sort of composition, consisting of a close up of three figures without s setting, is exceptional inGauguin’s work at this date. The two female figures are taken over from Maternite, 1896; figures in a pose similar to that of the woman on the right occur in Les Seins aux Fleurs rouges, 1899, Faa Iheihe, 1898 and Rupe Rupe, 1899.
In April 1898Gauguin, having received no remittance of money from France, was heavily in debt. He went, therefore to Papeete and was given a minor job as a draughtsman in the Office if Public Works and Surveys. There he remained for the rest of the year doing no painting at all. He did not begin to work again until he returned to his hut at Punavia at the beginning of 1899.