Paul Gauguin Biography

(French Post-Impressionist Artist)

Birthday: June 7, 1848 (Gemini)

Born In: Paris, France

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Eugene Henri Paul Gauguin, better known as Paul Gauguin, was a leading French artist of the Symbolist art movement of the early 20th century. As a Post Impressionist artist who was also a sculptor, print-maker, and writer, he gained significance only after his death. His works were largely unrecognized during his lifetime. He was known to experiment with bold colours and exaggerated body proportions which in a way led to the Synthetist style of modern art. He also played an important role in the cloisonnist style of art which paved the way for Primitivism. He once had a large family and worked as a stockbroker to support them. However, such great was his passion for painting that he abandoned both his family and profession to focus on his artistic longings. He traveled and lived in many countries over his lifetime - during his later years he went to Tahiti where he experimented with his painting and also indulged in several sexual exploits with the local girls. He was a colourful character known for his love of an unconventional life. He drank to the excess and was a compulsive womanizer. His weaknesses ultimately caused his downfall and he died of syphilis when he was just 54 years of age.

Quick Facts

French Celebrities Born In June

Also Known As: Eugène Henri Paul Gauguin

Died At Age: 54

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Mette Sophie Gad

father: Clovis Gauguin

mother: Aline Marie Chazal

siblings: Mari

children: Aline, Clovis, Emile, Germaine Chardon, Jean René, Pola

Born Country: France

Quotes By Paul Gauguin French Men

Died on: May 8, 1903

place of death: Atuona, Hiva Oa, French Polynesia

Cause of Death: Syphilis

City: Paris

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French CelebritiesFrench Artists & PaintersMale Artists & PaintersGemini Artists & PaintersGemini Men Childhood & Early LifeHe was born in Paris, France, to Clovis Gauguin and his wife Aline Maria Chazal. His father was a journalist while his mother was the daughter of proto-socialist leader Flora Tristan.The family left for Peru in 1850 because of the prevalent political climate. His father died on the journey and his mother was left alone to fend for herself and her two children.They lived in Lima with Paul’s uncle and family for four years. It was here that his interest in art began to sprout; he would spend hours drawing and painting.The family returned to France when Gauguin was seven. He went to a Catholic boarding school in La Chapelle-Saint-Mesmin where he spent three years.He served as a pilot’s assistant in the merchant marine when he was 17 and later joined the French Navy where he served for two years.Quotes: IContinue Reading BelowCareerHe returned to Paris in 1871 and landed a job as a stockbroker with the help of his mother’s boyfriend. He became a successful businessman and lived a prosperous life for the next many years.He began painting as a hobby in 1873. He forged a friendship with the artist Pissarro who introduced him to other artists, mostly Impressionists. He displayed his paintings in exhibitions held in 1881 and 1882.He married and moved to Denmark by 1884 where he tried to make his living by becoming a tarpaulin salesman. However this endeavor was not successful and his wife had to take over as the primary breadwinner of the family.

He left his wife and children and returned to France and began painting full-time. He moved to Martinique in 1887 with his friend artist Charles Laval. There he produced numerous works, often estimated to be between 10 and 20.

Eventually he grew disappointed with Impressionism and traditional European painting and was intrigued by the art of Africa and Asia. During that time in Europe, art of other cultures were in vogue and he was invited to participate in the 1889 exhibition organized by Les XX.

His art evolved towards Cloisonnism after being influenced by folk and Japanese art, and he produced his most famous work ‘The Yellow Christ’ in 1889.

In a move to escape the European society he went to Tahiti, Africa, in 1891 where he also hoped to explore his creative freedom. There he painted ‘By the Sea’ and ‘Ave Maria’ along with other paintings depicting Tahitian life.He returned to France in 1893 and painted ‘Day of the God’ in 1894 in which he portrayed Tahitian religion. He shifted to Punaauia in 1897 and painted ‘Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going?’ - regarded as a masterpiece.Quotes: Art Major WorksHis painting ‘The Yellow Christ’, considered as a key work of Symbolism shows the crucifixion of Christ in 19th century France. He used bold lines and bright colours like red and green in the background as contrasted by the yellow of Christ.The painting ‘Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going?’ deals with the existential questions that arise in the minds of human beings for which they seek spiritual answers. The painting is marked by thick brushstrokes and bold colours and is regarded a post-impressionist style of work.Personal Life & Legacy

He married a Danish woman named Mette Sophie Gad in 1873. The couple had five children over the next ten years. However, the marriage did not work for long as he was neither able to provide financial support nor care for the family.

He had sexual relations with many women and contracted syphilis. He had several children through his many mistresses.He also suffered from bouts of depression and had even attempted suicide once. He was also an alcoholic.

He died of a morphine overdose and heart attack in 1903. He was 54 at the time of his death.

Quotes: Life, DreamsTriviaHe has influenced several other artists of the 20th century like Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso, Georges Braque, and Andre Derain.