Controversial nature french artist-post-impressionist Paul Gauguin and his unusual fate created a special new reality in his work, where color plays a dominant role. Unlike the Impressionists, who attached importance to shadows, the artist conveyed his thoughts through a restrained composition, a clear outline of figures and color scheme. Gauguin's maximalism, his rejection of European civilization and restraint, his increased interest in the cultures of the islands of South America alien to Europe, the introduction of a new concept of "synthetism" and the desire to gain a sense of paradise on earth allowed the artist to take his special place in the art world of the late 19th century.
From civilization to overseas countries
into the light Paul Gauguin appeared on June 7, 1848 in Paris. His parents were a French journalist, an adherent of radical republicanism, and a mother of Franco-Peruvian origin. After an unsuccessful revolutionary coup, the family was forced to move to their mother's parents in Peru. The artist's father died of a heart attack during the journey, and Paul's family lived in South America for seven years.
Returning to France, the Gauguins settled in Orleans. The unremarkable life of a provincial town quickly got tired of Paul. Adventurous character traits led him to a merchant ship, and then to the navy, in which Paul visited Brazil, Panama, the islands of Oceania, continued his travels from the Mediterranean to arctic circle until it left the service. By this time future artist he was left alone, his mother died, Gustave Arosa took custody of him, who arranged for Paul in a stock exchange firm. Decent earnings, success in a new field should have predetermined the life of a wealthy bourgeois for many years.
Family or creativity
At the same time, Gauguin met the governess Metta-Sofia Gard, who accompanied the wealthy Danish heiress. Lush forms governesses, determination, a laughing face and a manner of speaking without deliberate timidity subdued Gauguin. Metta-Sophia Gad was not distinguished by sensuality, did not recognize coquetry, freely held herself and expressed herself directly, which distinguished her from other young ladies. This repulsed many men, but on the contrary, the dreamer Gauguin was captivated. In self-confidence, he saw an original character, and the presence of a girl drove away the loneliness that tormented him. Metta seemed to him a patroness, in whose arms he can feel calm like a child. The proposal of the wealthy Gauguin saved Mette from having to think about their daily bread. On November 22, 1873, the marriage took place. This marriage produced five children: a girl and four boys. Paul named his daughter and second son in honor of his parents: Clovis and Alina.
Could the young wife think that her well-to-do respectable life would be broken by the innocent brush of the artist in the hands of her husband, who, in one of winter days will announce to her that from now on she will be engaged only in painting, and she herself and her children will be forced to return to relatives in Denmark.
From Impressionism to Synthetism
For Gauguin, painting was the path to liberation, the exchange - irrevocably wasted time. Only in creativity, without wasting time on hateful duties, could he be himself. Having reached a critical point, having retired from the stock exchange, which brought a good income, Gauguin was convinced that everything was far from being so simple. Savings were melting, the paintings were not sold, but the return to work on the stock exchange and the rejection of the newfound freedom horrified Gauguin.
Uncertainly, groping, moving blindly, Gauguin tried to catch the world of colors and forms raging in him. Under the influence of Manet, at that time he painted a number of still lifes, created a cycle of works on the theme of the coast of Brittany. But the gravity of civilization makes him go to Martinique, participate in the construction of the Panama Canal, in the Antilles to recover from swamp fever.
The works of the island period become unusually colorful, bright, and do not fit into the framework of the canons of impressionism. Later, having arrived in France, Gauguin in Pont-Aven unites artists in the school of "color synthesis", for which characteristic features were the simplification and generalization of forms: the contour of the dark line was filled with a color spot. This method gave the works expressiveness and at the same time decorative effect, making them very bright. It is in this manner that “Jacob's struggle with an angel”, “A cafe in Arles” (1888) are written. This was all significantly different from the play of shadows, the play of light breaking through the foliage, the glare on the water - all those techniques that are so characteristic of the Impressionists.
After the failure of the exhibition of the Impressionists and "synthetics", Gauguin leaves France and goes to Oceania. The islands of Tahiti and Dominic were quite in line with his dream of a world devoid of signs. European civilization. Numerous works of this period are distinguished by an open solar brightness that conveys the rich colors of Polynesia. Styling techniques static figures on the color plane, the compositions are turned into decorative panels. Desire to live by the law primitive man, without the influence of civilization was terminated forced return to France due to failing physical health.
fatal friendship
Gauguin spends some time in Paris, Brittany, stops with Van Gogh in Arles, where tragic case. Enthusiastic fans of Gauguin in Brittany unwittingly made it possible for the artist to treat Van Gogh from the position of a teacher. Van Gogh's exaltation and Gauguin's maximalism led to serious scandals between them, during one of which Van Gogh rushes at Gauguin with a knife, and then cuts off part of his ear. This episode forces Gauguin to leave Arles and return to Tahiti some time later.
Looking for heaven on earth
A thatched hut, a remote village and a bright palette in the works, reflecting tropical nature: sea, greenery, sun. On the canvases of this time is depicted young wife Gauguin, Tehura, whom her parents willingly married at the age of thirteen.
Constant lack of money, health problems, serious venereal disease caused by promiscuity with local girls, forced Gauguin to return to France again. Having received an inheritance, the artist returned to Tahiti, then to the island of Hiva Oa, where in May 1903 he died of a heart attack.
Three weeks after the death of Gauguin, his property was described and sold under the hammer for next to nothing. A certain “expert” from the capital of Tahiti simply threw away some of the drawings and watercolors. The remaining works were bought at auction by naval officers. The most expensive work "Motherhood" went under the hammer for one hundred and fifty francs, and the appraiser showed the "Breton village under the snow" upside down, giving it the name ... "Niagara Falls".
Postimpressionist and innovator of Synthetism
Along with Cezanne, Seurat and Van Gogh, Gauguin is considered the greatest master of post-impressionism. Having absorbed his lessons, he created his own unique artistic language, bringing to history modern painting rejection of traditional naturalism, taking abstract symbols and figures of nature as a starting point, emphasizing striking and mysterious color interlacings in linear frames.
Literature used in writing the article:
"Illustrated Encyclopedia of World Painting", compiled by E.V. Ivanova
"Encyclopedia of Impressionism and Post-Impressionism", compiled by T.G. Petrovets
"Life of Gauguin", A. Perryush
Marina Staskevich
1848-1903: between these figures - whole life the largest, great, brilliant painter Paul Gauguin.
"The only way to become God is to do as He does: to create."
Paul Gauguin
in the photo: a fragment of the picture Paul Gauguin"Self-portrait with palette", 1894
Details of life Paul Gauguin formed one of the most unusual biographies in the history of art. His life really gave reasons different people talk about it, admire, laugh, resent and kneel.
Paul Gauguin: The Early Years
Paul Eugene Henri Gauguin Born in Paris on June 7, 1848 in the family of journalist Clovis Gauguin, a staunch radical. After the defeat of the June uprising, the family Gauguin for security reasons, she was forced to move to relatives in Peru, where Clovis intended to publish his own magazine. But on the way to South America, the journalist died of a heart attack, leaving his wife with two small children. Gotta give it credit mental stamina the artist's mother, who alone, without complaints, raised children.
A shining example of courage in a family environment fields was his grandmother Flora Tristan, one of the first socialist and feminist in the country, who published in 1838 the autobiographical book "The Wanderings of a Pariah". From her Paul Gauguin inherited not only external resemblance, but also her character, her temperament, indifference to public opinion and a love of travel.
Memories of life with relatives in Peru were so dear Gauguin that he later called himself a "Peruvian savage". At first, nothing foretold him the fate of a great artist. After 6 years of living in Peru, the family returned to France. But gray provincial life in Orleans and studying at a Parisian boarding house are tired Gauguin, and at the age of 17, against the will of his mother, he entered the service of the French merchant fleet and traveled to Brazil, Chile, Peru, and then off the coast of Denmark and Norway. It was the first, by generally accepted standards, shame, which Paul brought to his family. The mother, who died during his voyage, did not forgive her son and, as a punishment, deprived him of any inheritance. Returning to Paris in 1871, Gauguin with the help of his guardian Gustave Arosa, a friend of his mother, he got a position as a broker in one of the most reputable stock exchange firms in the capital. field was 23 years old, and before him opened brilliant career. He started a family quite early and became an exemplary father of a family (he had 5 children).
"Family in the Garden" Paul Gauguin, 1881, oil on canvas, New Carlsberg Glyptothek, Copenhagen
Painting as a hobby
But their stable well-being Gauguin without hesitation, he sacrificed his passion for painting. paint Gauguin started in the 1870s. At first it was a Sunday hobby, and Paul modestly assessed his capabilities, and the family considered his passion for painting a sweet eccentricity. Through Gustave Arosa, who loved art and collected paintings, Paul Gauguin met several impressionists, enthusiastically accepting their ideas.
After participating in 5 exhibitions of the Impressionists, the name Gauguin sounded in artistic circles: the artist was already shining through the Parisian broker. AND Gauguin decided to devote himself entirely to painting, and not to be, in his words, a "Sunday artist". The stock market crisis of 1882, which crippled the financial situation, also contributed to the choice in favor of art. Gauguin. But the financial crisis also affected painting: paintings sold poorly, and family life Gauguin turned into a fight for survival. Moving to Rouen, and later to Copenhagen, where the artist sold canvas products, and his wife gave French lessons, did not save him from poverty, and marriage Gauguin broke up. Gauguin with younger son returned to Paris, where he found neither peace of mind nor well-being. To feed his son, the great artist was forced to earn money by posting posters. “I knew real poverty,” wrote Gauguin in "Notebook for Alina", his beloved daughter. - It is true that, despite everything, suffering sharpens the talent. However, it should not be too much, otherwise it will kill you.”
"Flowers and a Japanese book", Paul Gauguin, 1882, oil on wood, New Carlsberg Glyptothek, Copenhagen
Formation of your own style
for painting Gauguin This was crucial moment. The artist's school was impressionism, which reached its peak at that time, and the teacher was Camille Pissarro, one of the founders of impressionism. The name of the patriarch of impressionism Camille Pissarro allowed Gauguin take part in five of the eight Impressionist exhibitions between 1874 and 1886.
"Waterhole", Paul Gauguin, 1885, oil on canvas, private collection
In the mid-1880s, the crisis of impressionism began, and Paul Gauguin began to find his way in art. A trip to the picturesque Brittany, which has preserved its ancient traditions, marked the beginning of changes in the artist's work: he moved away from impressionism and developed own style, combining elements of Breton culture with a radically simplified style of writing - synthetism. This style is characterized by a simplification of the image, transmitted by bright, unusually shining colors, and deliberately excessive decorativeness.
Synthetism appeared and manifested itself around 1888 in the works of other artists of the Pont-Aven school— Émile Bernard, Louis Anquetin, Paul Serusier and others. A feature of the synthetic style was the desire of artists to “synthesize” the visible and imaginary worlds, and often what was created on the canvas was a memory of what they had once seen. As a new trend in art, synthetism gained prominence after an organized Gauguin exhibitions in the Parisian café Volpini in 1889. New ideas Gauguin became an aesthetic concept famous group"Nabi", from which a new artistic movement "Art Nouveau" has grown.
"Vision after the sermon (Struggle of Jacob with an angel)", Paul Gauguin, 1888, oil on canvas, 74.4 x 93.1 cm, National Gallery Scotland, Edinburgh
The art of ancient peoples as a source of inspiration for European painting
The crisis of Impressionism put the artists who abandoned the blind "imitation of nature" with the need to find new sources of inspiration. The art of the ancient peoples became a truly inexhaustible source of inspiration for European painting and had a strong influence on its development.
Paul Gauguin style
Phrase from a letter Gauguin"You can always find solace in the primitive" testifies to his increased interest in primitive art. Style Gauguin, harmoniously combining impressionism, symbolism, Japanese graphics and children's illustration, was perfect for depicting "uncivilized" peoples. If the Impressionists, each in their own way, sought to analyze the colorful world, conveying reality without a special psychological and philosophical basis, then Gauguin not only offered virtuoso technique, he reflected in art:
"For me, a great artist is the formula for the greatest mind."
His paintings are metaphors full of harmony with complex meanings, often permeated with pagan mysticism. The figures of people that he painted from nature acquired a symbolic, philosophical meaning. With color ratios, the artist conveyed mood, state of mind, thoughts: so, pink color the earth in the paintings is a symbol of joy and abundance.
"Day of the Deity (Mahana no Natua)", Paul Gauguin, 1894, oil on canvas, Art Institute of Chicago, USA
Dreamer by nature Paul Gauguin all his life he was looking for an earthly paradise in order to capture it in his works. Looked for him in Brittany, Martinique, Tahiti, the Marquesas. Three trips to Tahiti (in 1891, 1893 and 1895), where the artist painted a number of his famous works, brought disappointment: the primitiveness of the island was lost. Diseases introduced by Europeans reduced the population of the island from 70 to 7 thousand, and along with the islanders, their rituals, art and local crafts died out. in the picture Gauguin“Girl with a Flower” one can feel the duality of the cultural structure on the island at that time: this is eloquently evidenced by the European dress of the girl.
"Girl with a flower" Paul Gauguin
In their search for a new, unique artistic language Gauguin was not alone: the desire for change in art united dissimilar and original artists ( Seurat, Signac, Van Gogh, Cezanne, Toulouse-Lautrec, Bonnard and others), giving birth to a new trend - post-impressionism. Despite the fundamental dissimilarity of styles and handwritings, in the work of the post-impressionists, not only ideological unity can be traced, but also commonality in everyday life—as a rule, loneliness and tragedy. life situations. The public did not understand them, and they did not always understand each other. In reviews of the exhibition of paintings Gauguin brought from Tahiti, one could read:
"To amuse your children, send them to an exhibition Gauguin. They will amuse themselves in front of colored pictures depicting four-armed female creatures spread out on the billiard table…”.
After such derogatory criticism Paul Gauguin he did not stay at home and in 1895 again, and for the last time, he left for Tahiti. In 1901, the artist moved to Domenique Island (Marquesas Islands), where he died of a heart attack on May 8, 1903. Paul Gauguin was buried at the local Catholic cemetery Domenic Islands (Hiva Oa).
"Riders on the Coast" Paul Gauguin, 1902
Even after the death of the artist, the French authorities in Tahiti, who persecuted him during his lifetime, mercilessly cracked down on his artistic heritage. Ignorant officials sold his paintings, sculptures, wooden reliefs under the hammer for pennies. The gendarme conducting the auction broke a carved cane in front of the assembled people. Gauguin, but hid his paintings and, returning to Europe, opened a museum of the artist. Recognition came to Gauguin 3 years after his death, when 227 of his works were exhibited in Paris. The French press, which maliciously ridiculed the artist during his lifetime about each of his few exhibitions, began to print laudatory odes to his art. Articles, books and memoirs were written about him.
"When is the wedding?", Paul Gauguin, 1892, oil on canvas, Basel, Switzerland (until 2015)
Once in a letter to Paul Serusier Gauguin Desperately suggested: “... my paintings scare me. The public will never accept them." However, the pictures Gauguin the public accepts and buys for big money. For example, in 2015, an unnamed buyer from Qatar (according to the IMF—the richest country in the world since 2010) bought a painting Gauguin"When is the wedding?", for 300 million dollars. Painting Gauguin received the honorary status of the most expensive painting in the world.
To be fair, it should be noted that Gauguin did not care at all about the lack of public interest in his work. He was convinced: “Everyone should follow their passion. I know that people will understand me less and less. But can it really matter?" Entire life Paul Gauguin was a fight against philistinism and prejudice. He always lost, but thanks to his obsession, he never gave up. The love for art that lived in his indomitable heart became a guiding star for the artists who followed in his footsteps.
Paul Gauguin - the famous French artist, graphic artist, sculptor - was born in Paris on June 7, 1848. Gauguin is one of the most popular representatives of the Post-Impressionist movement.
Tahitian women on the beach
The artist's father was a journalist, but after the coup d'état of 1851 he was forced to move to Peru. Didn't get to Latin America he died of a heart attack. The artist's childhood, up to the age of seven, took place in Peru, where he was raised by his mother. It is worth noting that Gauguin's mother was a representative of a rather famous Peruvian family. Staying in Peru played big role in the formation of the young Field. Beautiful landscapes, picturesque nature, rivers, national colorful costumes, and much more remained in the memory forever.The spirit of the dead does not sleep
Since 1855, Gauguin has returned to France, where he studies at a school, from which he secretly thinks to escape, dreaming of becoming a sailor and sailing sea spaces. In the future, starting at the age of 17, he is taken to sail on ships plying between America and Europe.
Yellow Christ
At the age of 23, Paul Gauguin starts working in a bank and his career takes off. In the same bank, Paul also finds his beloved, whom he soon marries. Since the work brings money, Paul becomes interested in painting - to buy paintings and paint himself. At the age of 30, Paul's first works are included in exhibitions, which also feature works by other Impressionists.
When is the wedding?
Soon, painting completely captured the heart of Gauguin, and in 1883 he quit the bank, abandoned his family and completely devoted himself to art. In a couple of years, the exhibition of canvases will feature twenty works by Paul, which will be met with positive reviews by critics.
day of the deity
Since the 1880s, Gauguin has been one of the leading and significant artists in the field of post-impressionism. Creative impulse, diligence and devotion to art moves Gauguin to the top of Olympus. He moves to a village called Brittany, in which the old identity, culture, and creativity are still preserved. In Brittany, Paul finds inspiration that will feed him in the coming years. He really likes the nature of Brittany, vintage costumes and funny customs of the locals.
Where did we come from? Who are we? Where are we going?
In the flight of creative searches, Gauguin becomes interested in symbolism, which leaves its mark on his work. His desire to change places of residence remains unchanged, and in 1888 he returned to Pont-Aven. In the future, Gauguin will visit New York, and live in the south of France with him, and eventually go to Tahiti, one of the farthest corners of the globe.
Still life with three puppies
It was in Tahiti that the most famous paintings Paul Gauguin, but, unfortunately, in addition to peace from the luxurious nature, illnesses also came to the artist here. Suffering from both depression and leprosy, the artist nevertheless wrote many works, devoting whole days to drawing.
Ia Orana Maria
In 1901, Paul Gauguin moves for the last time in his life - this time to the Marquesas Islands, where he dies after 2 years. Before his death, Paul not only painted, he also sculpted and created ceramic dishes.
Vision after the sermon
woman with mango
Are you jealous?
Devil's Words
Green Christ
Seed of Areoi
Shepherds from Tahiti
Name: Paul Gauguin
Age: 54 years old
Activity: painter, ceramic sculptor, graphic artist
Family status: was married
Paul Gauguin: biography
He was a successful entrepreneur and in a few years managed to make a large fortune, which would be enough to provide for the whole family - his wife and five children. But at one point this man came home and said that he wanted to exchange his boring financial employment for oil paints, brushes and canvas. Thus, he left the stock exchange and, being carried away by his favorite business, was left with nothing.
Now the post-impressionist canvases of Paul Gauguin are estimated at more than one million dollars. For example, in 2015, the artist’s painting titled “When is the wedding?” (1892), depicting two Tahitian women and a picturesque tropical landscape, was sold at auction for $ 300 million. But it turned out that during his lifetime, the talented Frenchman, like his colleague in the shop, did not receive the well-deserved recognition and fame. For the sake of art, Gauguin deliberately doomed himself to the existence of a poor wanderer and exchanged rich life to outright poverty.
Childhood and youth
The future artist was born in the city of love - the capital of France - on June 7, 1848, at that Time of Troubles when the country of Cezanne and Parmesan was waiting for political upheavals affecting the lives of all citizens - from unremarkable merchants to large entrepreneurs. Paul's father, Clovis, came from the petty bourgeoisie of Orleans, who worked as a liberal journalist in the local newspaper Nacional and scrupulously covered the chronicles of state affairs.
His wife Alina Maria was a native of sunny Peru, grew up and was brought up in a noble family. Alina's mother and, accordingly, Gauguin's grandmother, the illegitimate daughter of the nobleman Don Mariano and Flora Tristan, adhered to political ideas utopian socialism, became the author of critical essays and the autobiographical book Wanderings of the Party. The union of Flora and her husband Andre Chazal ended sadly: the unfortunate lover attacked his wife and ended up in prison for attempted murder.
Due to political upheavals in France, Clovis, worried for the safety of his family, was forced to flee the country. In addition, the authorities closed the publishing house where he worked, and the journalist was left without a livelihood. Therefore, the head of the family, along with his wife and small children, went on a ship to Peru in 1850.
Gauguin's father was full of good hopes: he dreamed of settling in a South American state and, under the auspices of his wife's parents, founding his own newspaper. But the plans of the man failed to come true, because during the journey Clovis suddenly died of a heart attack. Therefore, Alina returned to her homeland as a widow, along with 18-month-old Gauguin and his 2-year-old sister Marie.
Until the age of seven, Paul lived in an ancient South American state, the mountainous picturesque outskirts of which excite the imagination of any person. Young Gauguin had an eye for an eye: on his uncle's estate in Lima, he was surrounded by servants and nurses. Paul retained a vivid memory of that period of childhood, he recalled with pleasure the boundless expanses of Peru, the impressions from which haunted the gifted artist for the rest of his life.
Gauguin's idyllic childhood in this tropical paradise came to an abrupt end. Due to civil conflicts in Peru in 1854, eminent relatives on the mother's side lost political power and privileges. In 1855, Alina returned to France with Marie to receive an inheritance from her uncle. The woman settled in Paris and began to earn a living as a dressmaker, while Paul remained in Orleans, where he was brought up by his paternal grandfather. Thanks to perseverance and work in 1861, Gauguin's parent became the owner of her own sewing workshop.
After several local schools, Gauguin was sent to a prestigious Catholic boarding school (Petit Seminaire de La Chapelle-Saint-Mesmin). Paul was a diligent student, so he excelled in many subjects, but especially well talented young man was given French.
When the future artist was 14 years old, he entered the Paris Naval preparatory school and was preparing to enter the nautical school. But, fortunately or unfortunately, in 1865 the young man failed the exams at the selection committee, therefore, without losing hope, he was hired on the ship as a pilot. Thus, the young Gauguin went on a journey through boundless water spaces and traveled all the time in many countries, visited South America, on the Mediterranean coast, explored the northern seas.
While Paul was at sea, his mother died of an illness. Gauguin remained in the dark about the terrible tragedy for several months, until a letter with unpleasant news from his sister overtook him on his way to India. In her will, Alina recommended that her offspring make a career, because, in her opinion, Gauguin, due to his obstinate temper, would not be able to rely on friends or relatives in case of trouble.
Paul did not contradict the last will of the parent and in 1871 went to Paris in order to start independent life. To a young man he was lucky, because his mother's friend Gustave Arosa helped the 23-year-old orphaned boy break out of rags to riches. Gustave, a stockbroker, recommended Paul to the company, due to which the young man got a position as a broker.
Painting
The talented Gauguin succeeded in his profession, the man began to have money. For ten years of his career, he became a respectable person in society and managed to provide his family with a comfortable apartment in the city center. Like his guardian Gustave Arosa, Paul began to buy paintings famous impressionists and in free time inspired by canvases Gauguin began to try his talent.
Between 1873 and 1874, Paul created the first vivid landscapes that reflected Peruvian culture. One of the debut works of the young artist - "Forest Thicket in Viroff" - was exhibited at the Salon and received rave reviews from critics. Soon the novice master met Camille Pissarro, a French painter. Between these two creative people warm friendly relations began, Gauguin often visited his mentor in the northwestern suburbs of Paris - Pontoise.
The artist who hates social life and loving solitude, more and more often he spent his free time drawing pictures, gradually the broker is beginning to be perceived not as an employee big company but as a gifted artist. In many ways, the fate of Gauguin was affected by his acquaintance with a certain, original representative of the impressionist movement. Degas supports Paul both morally and financially, buying up his expressive canvases.
In search of inspiration and relaxation from the noisy capital of France, the master packed a suitcase and set off on a journey. So he visited Panama, lived with Van Gogh in Arles, visited Brittany. In 1891, remembering happy childhood, spent in his mother's homeland, Gauguin leaves for Tahiti - a volcanic island, the expanses of which give vent to fantasy. He admired coral reefs, dense jungles where juicy fruits grow, and azure sea shores. Paul tried to convey everything he saw natural colors on canvases, due to which the creations of Gauguin turned out to be original and bright.
The artist watched what was happening around and captured what he saw with a sensitive artistic eye in his works. So, the plot of the painting “Are you jealous?” (1892) appeared before the eyes of Gauguin in reality. The two Tahitian sisters, who had just bathed, lay down in relaxed positions on the shore under the scorching sun. From the girlish dialogue about love, Gauguin heard strife: “How? Are you jealous!". Paul later admitted that this painting is one of his favorite creations.
In the same 1892, the master wrote mystical canvas"The spirit of the dead does not sleep", made in gloomy, mysterious purple tones. The viewer sees a naked Tahitian woman lying on a bed, and behind her is a spirit in a gloomy robe. The fact is that one day the artist's lamp ran out of oil. He struck a match to illuminate the space, thus frightening Tehura. Paul began to wonder if this girl could take the artist not for a person, but for a ghost or spirit, which the Tahitians are very afraid of. These mystical thoughts of Gauguin inspired him with the plot of the picture.
A year later, the master paints another picture called "Woman holding a fetus." Following his manner, Gauguin signs this masterpiece with the second, Maori, name Euhaereiaoe ("Where [are you] going?"). In this work, as in all of Paul's works, man and nature are static, as if merging into one. This painting was originally purchased Russian merchant, currently the work is in the walls State Hermitage. Among other things, the author of The Sewing Woman in last years life wrote the book "NoaNoa", published in 1901.
Personal life
Paul Gauguin in 1873 made a marriage proposal to the Danish Matte-Sophie Gad, who agreed and gave her lover four children: two boys and two girls. Gauguin adored his first child, Emil, who was born in 1874. Many canvases of the master of brushes and paints are decorated with the image of a serious boy who, judging by the works, was fond of reading books.
Unfortunately, the family life of the great impressionist was not cloudless. The master's paintings were not sold and did not bring their former income, and the artist's wife was not of the opinion that with a sweet paradise in a hut. Due to the plight of Paul, who barely made ends meet, quarrels and conflicts often arose between the spouses. After arriving in Tahiti, Gauguin married a young local beauty.
Death
While Gauguin was in Papeete, he worked very productively and managed to write about eighty canvases, which are considered the best in his track record. But fate prepared new obstacles for the talented man. Gauguin failed to win recognition and fame among admirers of creativity, so he plunged into depression.
Because of the black streak that came in his life, Paul made suicide attempts more than once. state of mind the artist was engendered by the oppression of health, the author of Breton Village under the Snow fell ill with leprosy. Great master died on the island on May 9, 1903 at the age of 54.
Unfortunately, as often happens, fame came to Gauguin only after his death: three years after the death of the master, his canvases were put on public display in Paris. In memory of Paul in 1986, the film "The Wolf on the Threshold" was filmed, where the role of the artist was played by famous actor Hollywood. Also, the British prose writer wrote the biographical work "The Moon and the Penny", where Paul Gauguin became the prototype of the protagonist.
Artworks
- 1880 - "The Sewing Woman"
- 1888 - "Vision after the sermon"
- 1888 - "Cafe in Arles"
- 1889 - "Yellow Christ"
- 1891 - "Woman with a flower"
- 1892 - "The spirit of the dead does not sleep"
- 1892 - "Ah, are you jealous?"
- 1893 - "Woman holding a fruit"
- 1893 - "Her name was Vairaumati"
- 1894 - "The fun of the evil spirit"
- 1897–1898 - “Where did we come from? Who are we? Where are we going?"
- 1897 - "Never again"
- 1899 - "Collecting fruits"
- 1902 - "Still life with parrots"
