[1] The enigmatic work depicts a naked Pahura, Gauguin's teenage vahine or wife, lying on a bed in their hut, her voluptuous figure echoed by the curves of the headboard.

In the poem, a mourning student is visited in his room by a raven who croaks the one word "nevermore" in response to his every question.

Gauguin had not yet lost his favourite European-born daughter Aline, who died in April of 1897: Nevermore was executed in February.

[3] The painting was purchased in 1898 by the British composer Frederick Delius from Gauguin's friend George-Daniel de Monfreid for 500 francs.

It beat the competition from a five painting shortlist, which included masterpieces by Jan van Eyck and Titian.