Paul Gauguin

The artistic legacy of French Post-Impressionist artist, Paul Gauguin, would not begin to become apparent in its current regard until several years following the artist’s death. During his lifetime, this artist would gain a reputation for bold experimentation with color that led the Impressionist movement into the cohesive Synthetist style, which would eventually evolve into the more commonly recognized school of Symbolism. He favored many mediums; most notably painting, but also print making, sculpting, wood engraving and ceramic work. Gauguin’s style, though somewhat controversial at the time, is known to have had a significant influence on the works of other notable artists, including Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso.

Born in Paris in 1848, the life of Eugene Henri Paul Gauguin was frequently wrought with struggle, beginning with the early death of his father en route to Peru, where the family intended to relocate. At age seven, Gauguin would return to France, along with his mother and siblings, though these formative years among Peruvian culture would continue to influence the young Gauguin and his impression of the world. It wasn’t until the late 1800’s, after many years as a business man (some successful; others not) that Gauguin would finally pursue his passion for painting as a full time endeavor. A failed marriage, as well as occasional bouts of depression similar to those of his contemporary and personal acquaintance, Vincent van Gogh, would also bear their mark on the artist’s life and artistic endeavors.

In 1873, following combined years of Catholic boarding school, following by a mandatory stint in the military, Gauguin established residency once again in Paris, specifically in an area frequented by many member of the Impressionist movement. He worked here as a stockbroker, but took up painting in his free time. Here he met many of the influential members of the Impressionist era and was known to paint occasionally with the likes of Camille Pissarro and Paul Cezanne. While Gauguin’s painting style would evolve somewhat drastically from here, the influence bestowed upon his style through his personal association with these Impressionist painters can clearly be seen in the artist’s early works.

In 1891, Gauguin developed a fascination with French Polynesia, and by the middle of that same decade he made a permanent move to the region. The artist would never return to France, living out much of the remainder of his life on these islands. The typical subject matter and style of Gauguin’s paintings underwent a considerable transition during this period, as he became ever more entranced by the native girls, the landscape, and the culture.

Gauguin’s relationship with van Gogh was a bitter-sweet. The two respected one another in the beginning, but after nine weeks together in the legendary Yellow House of Arles, the artist’s parted ways after a violent argument. This incident was the precursor to the infamous cutting off of the ear incident for which van Gogh is well known. Gauguin’s final years were riddled with illness and social turmoil. Suffering from syphilis, Paul Gauguin died of a morphine overdose, presumably to avoid a forthcoming prison sentence. Soon after his death, the artist’s paintings would finally begin to gain critical acclaim and public admiration.