Paul Gauguin in Tahiti

“Parau api,” (“Two Women of Tahiti”) painted by Paul Gauguin in 1892.

Seeing the luscious colors and splashy patterns in the summer issues of the top shelter publications (“Big, Bold Blooms” an Elle Décor Trend Alert and “Imperial Red” the month’s Color Crush featured in House Beautiful) I was reminded of an exhibition staged at the Tate Modern I was lucky enough to see on opening day while visiting London in 2010. As I joined the throng of people pouring into the museum to see Gauguin: Maker...