He died in poverty, unappreciated and unrecognized by his contemporaries. The artist who glorified the painting of the era of post-impressionism along with Van Gogh and Cézanne is Paul Gauguin, whose paintings today are included in the list of the most expensive paintings sold at public auctions and closed auctions. He is often called the “damned Gauguin”, and he himself considered himself unlucky since childhood and accused God of “injustice and cruelty”. Indeed, after reading the biography of the great artist, you might think that evil rock hung over him all his life: numerous trials, setbacks and illnesses accompanied his entire earthly path, making it difficult to engage in creativity and not allowing him to taste the glory and recognition.
"Colorful childhood" and youth of the future artist
How did he become an artist, with what did he begin and what did Paul Gauguin come to? His biography is very interesting and is associated with constant moving. A change of places and a dream of an original life in the regions untouched by civilization is another great passion along with an insatiable desire to paint. And this love for exotic appeared in childhood, when he lived in his mother’s homeland in Peru and daily observed the bright colors of national costumes, rich natural vegetation and enjoyed a carefree existence in the tropics.
When little Paul was barely a year old, his father, Republican journalist Clovis Gauguin, after a failed anti-monarchist coup decided to move from France to Peru, where his wife was from. However, he died of a heart attack along the way. Paul lived and raised in Lima on the estate of his uncle until the age of seven. After which he and his mother moved to Paris, where the boy quickly learned French and successfully graduated from high school. However, his studies did not appeal to him, and all thoughts were occupied with traveling by sea. Finally, having reached the age of 17, Gauguin, who could not stand the test at school, sets sail as a pilot of the pilot. For almost six years, he has been traveling continuously on the sea, travels around South America and Europe, swims in the Mediterranean and northern seas.
Broker or artist?
Upon learning of the death of his mother, in 1872, Paul Gauguin returned to Paris and, having secured the support of a family friend Gustave Arosa, enters the service as a stock broker. Of course, this is not what Paul has always dreamed of. However, for some time he manages to lead a "normal life": he marries a Danish, has children. The family lives well, changes apartments to more and more comfortable. At the same time, his workshop occupies a special place in the house. Gauguin, previously only collecting paintings, begins to write himself. His first landscapes appeared already in 1873-1874. At the same time, he meets impressionists and, since 1879, has been participating in art exhibitions. Now he is taken seriously as an artist. A special role in his creative activity was played by Edgar Degas, to whom Paul Gauguin was very obliged. Degas buys the paintings that he draws himself and encourages the impressionist to do this. Gradually, the work of a broker begins to oppress Gauguin, there is very little time left for painting. Therefore, in 1885, Paul decides to quit his job, leaves his family in Denmark and leaves for Paris. He spends some time in Brittany, where he writes and communicates with symbolist artists. Here are painted such famous paintings as "Vision after the sermon" and "Swineherd. Brittany" (depicts the lives of people not spoiled by civilization).
Escape from civilization and flowering in the work of Gauguin
Life in France is not affordable for Gauguin, who wants to devote himself entirely to creativity. In May 1889, when he got to the exhibition of oriental culture and was inspired by the bright and colorful colors of the works exhibited, Paul decided to leave for Tahiti. It was here that his talent and inspiration reached their highest incarnation. The most famous and successful paintings were created on the island paradise. Finally, revealed as an artist Paul Gauguin. Paintings painted in the tropics are distinguished by bright and warm colors. Paul depicts dark-skinned female bodies against a background of lush greenery ("The Tahitian Woman with Mango Fruit") and golden-pink sand ("Are you jealous?"). For 1892 he writes as many as 80 paintings! They differ not only in the contrast of colors and static composition, but also in bright decorativeness. An example is the painting that Paul Gauguin painted that year, Tahitian Pastorals, which is now exhibited at the Hermitage.
A new blow in the life of Gauguin
After a short visit to Paris (due to illness and lack of money), where the artist expected a triumphal failure (the exhibition was severely criticized) instead of the expected recognition, he finally returned to Oceania. Here he continues to work, and not only as an artist, but also as a writer, journalist, sculptor. However, his work is no longer as cheerful as in previous years. The paintings reflect the anxiety and frustration that settled in Gauguin’s soul: “Motherhood”, “Nevermor”. In 1897 he wrote one of his most famous works, "Where did we come from? Who are we? Where are we going?" Having finished it, he made an unsuccessful attempt at suicide, tired of diseases and general misunderstanding (even on the "paradise earth" he was considered tactless and mediocre).
"Gifts of Fate" instead of coveted death
He prayed to God for death, but remained alive. The disease receded, money suddenly appeared (1000 francs were sent from Paris, yet some of the paintings were sold), and then a man who was able to successfully sell the artist’s paintings. His name was Ambroise Vollard, he offered what Paul Gauguin had dreamed all his life. The paintings that he wrote, Vollard could purchase 25 pieces a year (guaranteed), while he pledged, in turn, to pay the artist a monthly salary (300 francs).
Unlucky ending
Fate seemed to smile at Paul, but not for long. The disease began to gain momentum again, and there were problems with the authorities (local residents dragged Gauguin - now not only an artist, but also a journalist - into political intrigues). Paul began to take morphine, an opium tincture, in order to drown out the pain. He was soon found dead (whether this natural death or intentional poisoning was unknown).
Paul Gauguin and his contribution to art
Despite the difficult life in a constant struggle (with diseases, circumstances, people), Paul Gauguin nevertheless did what he saw in his vocation - creativity. His paintings have made a huge contribution to contemporary art. Here are some of the most famous paintings that Paul Gauguin presented to the world: “Woman Holding a Fruit”, “Yellow Christ”, “Woman with a Flower”, “Fruit Collection”, “Still Life with Parrots”, “Fun of an Evil Spirit”, “Her called Wairamuati "and others.