In 1891, Paul went to Tahiti and promised to return home as a rich man. Upon his arrival in Tahiti, the artist painted a few artworks. Among them was The Meal, also known as 'Bananas'. The artwork was a portrait photo of three people seated and waiting to eat. Closely looking at the portrait, you can see its three children, two of whom are boys, and the one in the middle is a lady (assumptions based on the hair). The table in front of them has things to eat; a bunch of bananas, a big bowl with some food inside, and three citric fruits. On the right side of the portrait, there is a whitish bowl and a brown gourd. One citrus fruit that is cut is near the gourd and separates from the rest with a knife.
The table has two table cloths, one lying on the other and the artist’s name signatures on the bottom right side of the portrait. In the background, the artist used some bright colours to show the house's elegance these three children are in. It has some berry paintings with some leaves and a green background. Immediately below, it is a blue section and a brown seat where the children seem to be seated. In the far end is a portrait of a woman hanging in the top right corner. It seems like a portrait hung, but it could also be someone staring at these children. The boy on the left side is white and is dressed in a beige pullover or t-shirt, while the boy on the right side is of colour and has a black shirt or pullover with a V neck. The boy on the left is seemingly looking at the soup with his eyes almost closed, while the boy on the right has his eyes fully open.
In the middle, the lady seems to look at the gourd with her lips held together. She is dressed in a dark beige sweater with a V neck and a white-collar. They seem to wait for the food to be served so they can eat. Traditionally, Tahitian people did not eat at a table. The painting is a composed piece of art that shows still life. Art analysts say that the artwork was for decorative and exotic effects. He represented the setting he had left in France and what people were fond of doing. Today, the painting sits in the Musee d'Orsay and is adored by millions of people.
