Paul Gauguin

Date of Birth: June 7, 1848

Zodiac Sign: Gemini

Date of Death: May 8, 1903

Biography

Eugène Henri Paul Gauguin was born on June 7, 1848, in Paris, France. He was a leading French Post-Impressionist artist who is now recognized for his experimental use of color and synthetist style that were distinctly different from Impressionism. Gauguin’s bold simplifications and innovative use of color inspired numerous modern artists. He spent his early years traveling between France and Peru, where his mother’s family originated. Gauguin initially worked as a stockbroker, but he left his career to pursue painting full-time in his mid-30s. Gauguin’s work was initially met with limited success, but he continued to paint prolifically, often exploring themes of exoticism and primitivism. He is best known for his works created in Tahiti, where he moved in 1891 seeking a more ‘primitive’ culture to inspire his art. His time in Tahiti was marked by prolific artistic output and significant personal struggles. Gauguin’s later years were spent in the Marquesas Islands, where he continued to paint until his death.

5 Interesting Facts about Paul Gauguin

1. Gauguin initially worked as a stockbroker before becoming a full-time artist.

2. He was a close friend of Vincent van Gogh and even stayed with him in Arles for a period, which ended dramatically with Van Gogh’s infamous ear-cutting incident.

3. Gauguin was largely self-taught and did not receive formal artistic training.

4. His most famous works were created during his time in Tahiti, including “Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going?”

5. Despite his current fame, Gauguin struggled financially throughout his life and was often dependent on the support of friends and family.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Paul Gauguin

1. “I shut my eyes in order to see.”

2. “I have tried to make everything clear and easy to understand.”

3. “Art is either plagiarism or revolution.”

4. “Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.”

5. “Color! What a deep and mysterious language, the language of dreams.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the time of his death, Gauguin was not wealthy and struggled financially. His highest net worth was modest and not well-documented, but today his works sell for millions of dollars.