Paul Gauguin "Yellow Christ.

"Yellow Christ" 1889
Canvas, oil. 92.5x73 cm.
Art Gallery Albright-Knox, Buffalo.

In 1889, Gauguin was informed that his latest paintings were not in demand in Paris. The terribly upset artist, trying to express his feelings, painted several canvases on the theme of the Passion of Christ. Christ, reminiscent of Gauguin, is depicted everywhere against the backdrop of Breton landscapes. " Yellow Christ" is no exception. The melancholy mood here is emphasized by the autumn landscape. Breton women represent the three Marys, traditionally depicted in paintings interpreting this plot. The painting amazed many of the artist's friends. Octave Mirbeau called this painting "an alarming and acute mixture of barbaric pomp, Catholic liturgy, Indian meditation, gothic fiction and subtle symbolism."

Symbol system

	1. Yellow crucifix resembles a painted wooden statue from the 17th century, installed in the Tremalot chapel, on the outskirts of Pont-Aven.
	2.Head of Christ is a self-portrait of Gauguin - as in other canvases painted in the same year.
	3. Women sitting at the cross- almost copies of the Breton women from the painting “Vision after the Sermon” (group on the left).
	4. Landscape in the background, copied from life by the artist. This is Pont-Aven and its surroundings.

Based on materials from "Art Gallery. Gauguin", No. 6, 2004.

In 1889, Gauguin was informed that his latest paintings were not in demand in Paris. The terribly upset artist, trying to express his feelings, painted several canvases on the theme of the Passion of Christ. Christ, reminiscent of Gauguin, is depicted everywhere against the backdrop of Breton landscapes. "Yellow Christ" is no exception. The melancholy mood here is emphasized by the autumn landscape. Breton women represent the three Marys, traditionally depicted in paintings that interpret this plot. The painting amazed many of the artist’s friends. Octave Mirbeau called this painting "a disturbing and poignant mixture of barbaric pomp, Catholic liturgy, Indian meditation, Gothic fiction and subtle symbolism."

Symbol system

Based on materials from “Art Gallery. Gauguin", No. 6, 2004

Paul Gauguin. Self-portrait with yellow Christ. 1890

Paul Gauguin can be reproached for many things - infidelity to his official wife, irresponsible attitude towards children, cohabitation with minors, blasphemy, extreme selfishness.

But what does this mean compared to greatest talent, which fate awarded him?

Gauguin is entirely a contradiction, an insoluble conflict and a life similar to an adventure drama. And Gauguin is a whole layer of world art and hundreds of paintings. And a completely new aesthetics that still surprises and delights.

Life is ordinary

Paul Gauguin was born on June 7, 1848 into a very extraordinary family. The future artist's mother was a daughter famous writer. Father is a journalist political magazine.

At 23, Gauguin finds Good work. He becomes a successful stockbroker. But in the evenings and on weekends he draws.

At 25 he marries Dutchwoman Mette Sophie Gad. But their union is not a story about great love and the place of honor as the muse of the great master. For Gauguin felt sincere love only for art. Which the wife did not share.

If Gauguin portrayed his wife, it was rare and quite specific. For example, against the background of a gray-brown wall, turned away from the viewer.

However, the couple will give birth to five children, and, perhaps, besides them, they will soon have nothing in common. Mette considered her husband's painting classes a waste of time. She married a wealthy broker. And I wanted to lead a comfortable life.

Therefore, one day the husband’s decision to quit his job and do only painting was a huge blow for Mette. Their union, of course, will not withstand such a test.

The beginning of art

The first 10 years of Paul and Mette's marriage passed calmly and safely. Gauguin was only an amateur in painting. And he painted only in his free time from the stock exchange.

Most of all, Gauguin was seduced. Here is one of Gauguin's works, painted with typical impressionist reflections of light and a sweet corner of the countryside.

Gauguin actively communicates with such outstanding painters of his time as Cezanne,.

Their influence is felt in early works Gauguin. For example, in the painting “Suzanne Sewing.”

The girl is busy with her own business, and we seem to be spying on her. Quite in the spirit of Degas.

Gauguin does not seek to embellish it. She was hunched over, which made her posture and stomach unattractive. The skin is “ruthlessly” rendered not only in beige and pink, but also in blue and green flowers. And this is quite in the spirit of Cezanne.

And some serenity and tranquility are clearly taken from Pissarro.

The year 1883, when Gauguin turns 35, becomes a turning point in his biography. He left his job at the stock exchange, confident that he would quickly become famous as a painter.

But the hopes were not justified. The accumulated money quickly ran out. Mette's wife, not wanting to live in poverty, goes to her parents, taking the children. This meant the collapse of their family union.

Gauguin in Brittany

Gauguin spends the summer of 1886 in Brittany in northern France.

It was here that Gauguin developed his individual style. Which will change little. And by which he is so recognizable.

The simplicity of the drawing borders on caricature. Large areas of the same color. Bright colors, especially a lot of yellow, blue, red. unrealistic color solutions, when the earth could be red and the trees blue. And also mystery and mysticism.

We see all this in one of Gauguin’s main masterpieces of the Breton period - “The Vision after the Sermon or the Fight of Jacob with the Angel.”

The real meets the fantastic. Breton women in their characteristic white caps view a scene from the Book of Genesis. How Jacob wrestles with the Angel.

Someone is watching (including a cow), someone is praying. And all this against the backdrop of red earth. It's like it's happening in the tropics, oversaturated bright colors. One day Gauguin will go to the real tropics. Is it because its colors are more appropriate there?

Another masterpiece was created in Brittany - “The Yellow Christ”. This painting is the background to his self-portrait (at the beginning of the article).

Already from these paintings created in Brittany, one can see a significant difference between Gauguin and the Impressionists. The impressionists depicted their visual sensations without introducing any hidden meaning.

But for Gauguin, allegory was important. It is not for nothing that he is considered the founder of symbolism in painting.

Look how calm and even indifferent the Bretons are sitting around the crucified Christ. Thus Gauguin shows that the sacrifice of Christ has long been forgotten. And religion for many has become just a set of obligatory rituals.

Why did the artist depict himself against the background of his own painting with the yellow Christ? For this, many believers did not like him. Considering such “gestures” to be blasphemy. Gauguin considered himself a victim of the tastes of the public, which did not accept his work. Frankly comparing his suffering with the martyrdom of Christ.

And the public actually had a hard time understanding him. In Brittany, the mayor of one town ordered a portrait of his wife. This is how “Beautiful Angela” appeared.

The real Angela was shocked. She could not even imagine that she would be so “beautiful.” Narrow pig eyes. Swollen bridge of the nose. Huge bony hands.

And next to it is an exotic figurine. Which the girl regarded as a parody of her husband. After all, he was shorter than her. It’s surprising that the customers didn’t tear the canvas apart in a fit of anger.

Gauguin in Arles

It is clear that the incident with “Beautiful Angela” did not increase Gauguin’s customers. Poverty forces him to agree to the proposal O working together. He went to see him in Arles, the south of France. Hoping that life together will be easier.

Here they write the same people, the same places. Like, for example, Madame Gidou, the owner of a local cafe. Although the style is different. I think you can easily guess (if you haven’t seen these paintings before) where Gauguin’s hand is and where Van Gogh’s is.

Information about the paintings at the end of the article*

But the domineering, self-confident Paul and the nervous, hot-tempered Vincent could not get along under the same roof. And one day, in the heat of a quarrel, Van Gogh almost killed Gauguin.

The friendship was over. And Van Gogh, tormented by remorse, cut off his earlobe.

Gauguin in the tropics

In the early 1890s, the artist took possession of new idea– organize a workshop in the tropics. He decided to settle in Tahiti.

Life on the islands turned out to be not as rosy as Gauguin initially imagined. The natives received him coldly, and there was little “untouched culture” left - the colonists had long brought civilization to these wild places.

Local residents rarely agreed to pose for Gauguin. And if they came to his hut, they preened themselves in a European manner.

Throughout his life in French Polynesia, Gauguin would search for “pure” native culture, settling as far as possible from the cities and villages developed by the French.

Outlandish art

Undoubtedly, Gauguin discovered a new aesthetics in painting for Europeans. With each ship he sent his paintings to " mainland».

Canvases depicting naked dark-skinned beauties in a primitive setting evoked big interest from the European viewer.

Gauguin scrupulously studied local culture, rituals, mythology. Thus, in the painting “Loss of Virginity” Gauguin allegorically illustrates the pre-wedding custom of the Tahitians.

The bride was kidnapped by the groom's friends on the eve of the wedding. They “helped” him make the girl a woman. That is, essentially the first the wedding night belonged to them.

True, this custom had already been eradicated by missionaries by the time Gauguin arrived. The artist learned about him from stories local residents.

Gauguin also loved to philosophize. This is how his famous painting“Where did we come from? Who are we? Where are we going?".

Gauguin's personal life in the tropics

There are many legends about Gauguin's personal life on the island.

They say that the artist was very promiscuous in his relationships with local mulatto women. He suffered from numerous venereal diseases. But history has preserved the names of some lovers.

The most famous affection was 13-year-old Tehura. A young girl can be seen in the painting “ Spirit of the Dead does not sleep.”

Gauguin left her pregnant and went to France. From this connection a boy, Emil, was born. He was raised by a local man, whom Tehura married. It is known that Emil lived to be 80 years old and died in poverty.

Confession immediately after death

Gauguin never had time to enjoy his success.

Numerous diseases difficult relationship with missionaries, lack of money - all this undermined the painter’s strength. Gauguin died on May 8, 1903.

Here's one of his latest paintings"Spell". In which the mixture of native and colonial is especially noticeable. Spell and cross. Naked and dressed in tight clothing.

And a thin layer of paint. Gauguin had to save money. If you've seen Gauguin's work in person, you've probably noticed this.

Events develop after his death as a mockery of the poor painter. Dealer Vollard organizes a grand exhibition of Gauguin. The salon** devotes an entire room to him...

But Gauguin was not destined to bathe in this grandiose glory. He didn't live to see her just a little...

However, the painter’s art turned out to be immortal - his paintings still amaze with their stubborn lines, exotic color and unique style.

Paul Gauguin. 2015 Artist's collection

There are many works by Gauguin in Russia. All thanks to pre-revolutionary collectors Ivan Morozov and Sergei Shchukin. They brought home many of the master’s paintings.

One of Gauguin’s main masterpieces, “Girl Holding a Fruit,” is kept in St. Petersburg.