Vairumati, the subject of this painting, is a Tahitian goddess. This Tahitian goddess is known as the original mother of the island. Some people refer to Vairumati as the mythical Eve from whole all the Maohi people descended. From the title of the painting, it is safe to say that this Tahitian goddess was the primary inspiration for Paul Gauguin's image. In this painting, Paul Gauguin depicted the Tahitian goddess as a young bare-chested woman. Also in the painting is a white bird with a lizard in its claws. In Tahiti, this is a symbol of the ever-recurring life cycle. Behind the young lady, believed to be a depiction of the goddess, are two bare-chested women.

Art critics suggest that these women could either be devotees or servants of the goddess. The women feature all the physical elements of a conventional Tahitian woman. Behind Tahiti is a symbol believed to be a religious symbol in Tahiti. The image also features red sand and various plants in the background. In true Paul Gauguin nature, the painting features a unique and artistic use of colour. His experimental use of colour and synthetic style in this photo is one thing that critics adore about this artwork.

This painting remained in the Gauguin family after his death. After a few years, it was handed over to the Ambroise Vollard gallery in Paris. In 1904, the painting was bought by Sergei Schukin, who sold it to the First Museum of New Western Painting in 1918. The art piece was moved to the Musee d'Orsay in Paris in 1948, where it is currently located. It is part of an exhibit at the museum that visitors get to see. The original painting features an authentic Paul Gauguin signature at the lower left part.

In 1982, Paul Gauguin made his first painting of the Tahitian goddess called Vairumati tei oa (translated as Her name is Vairumati). Paul painted several other pieces depicting Tahitian characters and subjects. Paul Gauguin gave Tahitian titles to several of his other paintings. It is worth noting that he did this even without having mastered the language. Some critics would say that Paul Gauguin was obsessed with Tahiti and its culture. Painting Vairumati, a significant symbol of the Tahitian culture, is a clear indication of Gauguin's admiration of Tahiti and everything it has to offer.