Gauguin, Paul

(1848-1903)

   painter, sculptor, engraver

   Born in Paris, Paul Gauguin spent part of his childhood in Peru (1850-55). He served in the merchant marine (1865) before becoming a successful Parisian stockbroker (1871). In 1874, after meeting camille pissaro and viewing the first impressionist exhibition, Gauguin became a collector and amateur painter, exhibiting with the impressionists in 1876, 1880, 1881, 1882, and 1886. In 1883, he left his career, as well as his wife and children, to devote himself exclusively to his painting and his art. From 1886 to 1891, he lived mainly in rural Brittany (except for a visit to Panama and Martinique in 1887 and 1888, respectively) where he was the center of a small group of experimental painters known as the school of Pont-Aven. Under the influence of emile Bernard, he turned from impressionism to synthetism, finding inspiration in medieval and indigenous art as well as Japanese prints, to which he was introduced by vincent van gogh during a stay in Arles in 1888. In 1891, severely in debt, Gauguin left Europe for the South Pacific. Except for one visit to France (1893-95), he remained there for the rest of his life, first in Tahiti and later in the Marquesas Islands. While his essential style remained the same, under the influence of Polynesian culture his paintings became more powerful, with the subject matter more distinct and the composition simplified (Sur la plage (1891); Quand te maries-tu (1892); L'Esprit des morts veille (1893). His masterpieces include Les Seins aux fleurs rouges (1897) and D'où venons-nous? (1897), which he painted before a failed suicide attempt. Gauguin realized the importance of his work, which would have a profound influence on artists of the 20th century (Derain, Picasso, Modigliani, Munch) and would lead directly to the fauvist and expressionist styles and schools of art.