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Who Was Paul Gauguin?
Paul Gauguin, a prominent French post-Impressionist artist, played a significant role in the Symbolist art movement of the early 1900s. His innovative use of bold colors, exaggerated proportions, and stark contrasts in his paintings distinguished him from his contemporaries, paving the way for the Primitivism art movement. Gauguin sought inspiration in exotic locales, spending considerable time living and creating art in Tahiti.
Early Life
Born in Paris on June 7, 1848, Gauguin forged a distinctive artistic style, paralleling his unconventional life journey. Noted for his vibrant colors, simplified forms, and strong lines, Gauguin lacked formal art training and instead followed his unique vision, distancing himself from both familial responsibilities and established artistic conventions. After a brief period in Peru during his childhood, following the death of his father, Gauguin returned to France. His early career included stints as a merchant marine and a naval sailor, ultimately leading him to work as a stockbroker. In 1873, he married Mette Gad, a Danish woman, with whom he had five children.
Emerging Artist
Initially painting as a pastime, Gauguin soon dedicated himself seriously to his art. His work garnered attention when it was accepted into the “Salon of 1876,” a prestigious art exhibition in Paris. During this period, he met artist Camille Pissarro, and his work began to attract interest from the Impressionists—a group of avant-garde artists who challenged traditional artistic methods and subjects. Gauguin exhibited at the Impressionists’ fourth exhibition in 1879 alongside notable artists such as Pissarro, Edgar Degas, and Claude Monet. By 1883, he had resigned from his stockbroker position to devote himself entirely to his art, subsequently separating from his wife and children to move to Brittany, France.
In 1888, Gauguin created one of his most acclaimed works, “Vision of the Sermon,” which depicted the biblical story of Jacob wrestling with the angel in vibrant colors. The following year, he produced “The Yellow Christ,” a striking representation of the crucifixion of Jesus.
Gauguin’s life was marked by his bohemian lifestyle; he often referred to himself as a “savage” and claimed to possess Inca ancestry. His fondness for alcohol and indulgent living led to health complications, including syphilis. He maintained a tumultuous friendship with fellow artist Vincent van Gogh. Their relationship deteriorated during a stay at van Gogh’s home in Arles in 1888, culminating in a heated argument that resulted in van Gogh threatening Gauguin with a razor. That same year, Gauguin produced the renowned oil painting “Vision After the Sermon,” further solidifying his legacy in the art world.
Artist in Exile
In 1891, Paul Gauguin sought to escape the constraints of European society, believing that Tahiti might offer him the personal and creative freedom he craved. Upon his arrival, however, he was disillusioned to discover that French colonial authorities had largely westernized the island. Consequently, Gauguin opted to reside among the indigenous population, distancing himself from the Europeans concentrated in the capital.
During this period, Gauguin drew inspiration from both Tahitian culture and his own artistic background, resulting in innovative and groundbreaking works. In his painting La Orana Maria, he reinterpreted Christian figures, transforming the Virgin Mary and Jesus into a Tahitian mother and child. Among his other notable creations from this era is the carved sculpture Oviri, a term derived from the Tahitian word for “savage.” Contrary to this interpretation, Gauguin described the sculpted female figure as a representation of a goddess. His controversial personal life included a relationship with a 13-year-old Tahitian girl, who became a model for several of his paintings.
In 1893, Gauguin returned to France to exhibit his Tahitian works, but the reception was mixed; he struggled to sell much of his art, as critics and buyers found his primitivist style difficult to understand. Shortly thereafter, he returned to French Polynesia, where he continued to create art, including one of his masterpieces, Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going?, which encapsulates his interpretation of the human life cycle.
Death
In 1901, Gauguin relocated to the more remote Marquesas Islands. By this time, his health had severely deteriorated; he had suffered multiple heart attacks and was battling an advancing case of syphilis. On May 3, 1903, Gauguin passed away in his isolated island home, alone and nearly destitute. It was only after his death that his artwork began to receive significant acclaim, ultimately influencing prominent artists such as Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse.