Paul Gauguin: The Story of an Art Prophet
Paul Gauguin (1848-1903) was a master of Post-Impressionist painting. He was a visionary, a traveler, and an art prophet. His bold use of color, experiments in composition, and expressive perspectives brought to life a vibrant, luminous worldview that pushed the boundaries of contemporary art. By studying Gauguin’s life and art, one can gain a unique window into the life and thought of a revolutionary artist and thinker.
Early Life of Paul Gauguin
Paul Gauguin was born in Paris, France in 1848. His father, Clovis Gauguin was a journalist who later went on to become the mayor of Paris. His mother, Alina Maria Chazal, was from Peru and had worked as a seamstress. From a young age, Gauguin was exposed to art through his mother, who was an amateur painter. He also studied literature, philosophy, and the sciences throughout his teenage years.
Gauguin began his career as a merchant marine, traveling the world until 1871, when he decided to become an artist and move back to Paris. There, he was mentored by several key figures in the art world, including Camille Pissarro and Paul Cézanne. He trained in traditional techniques and began to experiment with bright colors and flat, abstract shapes.
Gauguin’s Experiments with Color and Composition
In 1884, Gauguin moved to Brittany, where he continued to experiment with color, composition, and perspective. He became known for his daring use of flattened shapes and bold colors. His landscapes and still life paintings often merge with abstracted elements, creating a unique visual world. Notably, he often used muted shades to highlight his vibrant use of color.
Gauguin’s work was also marked by his deeply-felt spiritual visions and his interest in symbolism and mythology. In an effort to capture his subjective perceptions of the world, he used vivid palettes and simplified forms to create his own special universe.
This period of experimentation giving rise to what has become known as his ” Synthetist ” style of painting, which features flattened forms, vibrant colors, and a heightened sense of emotion and spiritualism.
Gauguin’s Later Years and Travels
In 1891, Gaugin left Paris for Tahiti, where he hoped to pursue a more traditional, spiritual life. His move was motivated, in part, by his disillusionment with civilization and his friendship with Charles Laval and Charles Laval, who had previously traveled to Tahiti.
In Tahiti, Gauguin was inspired by the tropical environment and the culture of the people. He painted countless scenes of paradise, as well as portraits of local people and self-portraits exploring his own identity in the context of the unfamiliar environment. He continued to experiment with form and composition, using a variety of mediums including oil, wood, and paint.
Gauguin later spent time in the Marquesas Islands and then in 1895, decided to move back to France, where he settled in Hiva Oa and continued to paint. The last five years his life, Gauguin remained in Hiva Oa and continued to create art. His vibrant symbolism and ode to the beauty of nature were punctuated by his final, posthumously exhibited piece, “Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going?”
Examples of Paul Gauguin’s Famous Paintings
Despite his short lifetime, Paul Gauguin left a lasting impression with his mastery of color and composition and his commitment to exploring the boundaries of visual expression. Here are a few of his most renowned works and their meaning:
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Self-Portrait with Yellow Christ: Painted in 1889, this painting is a reflection on the search for spiritual and artistic meaning. The self-portrait is framed by a cross with a yellow Christ at its center—representing Gauguin’s search for spiritual truth.
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Tahitian Landscape: In this 1895 painting, Gauguin captures the beauty of the Tahitian landscape in striking colors, creating a vibrant and dream-like atmosphere.
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Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going?: Gauguin’s final painting was a meditation on the purpose of life, with each part of the painting representing a different stage of the journey. The painting is marked by symbolism, vibrant colors, and a dream-like atmosphere.
Paul Gauguin was a bold and innovative painter and thinker who created art at the forefront of contemporary culture. His commitment to subjectivity and his masterful use of color and composition revolutionized the art world and inspired generations of Post-Impressionists. By exploring the life of Gauguin one can gain insight into the mind of an art prophet and visionary.
