Paul Gauguin: an unusual biography of an unusual man. The most beautiful paintings of Paul Gauguin

The controversial character of the French post-impressionist artist Paul Gauguin and his unusual fate created a special new reality in his works, where color plays a dominant role. Unlike the Impressionists, who attached significance 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, increased interest in island cultures alien to Europe South America, the introduction of the new concept of “synthetism” and the desire to find a sense of heaven on earth allowed the artist to take his special place in the art world of the late 19th century.

From civilization to overseas countries

Paul Gauguin was born on June 7, 1848 in Paris. His parents were a French journalist, an adherent of radical republicanism, and a mother of French-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. Paul quickly became tired of the unremarkable life of a provincial town. Adventurous character traits led him to a merchant ship, and then to the navy, in which Paul visited Brazil, Panama, the islands of Oceania, and continued his travels from the Mediterranean to the Arctic Circle until he left the service. By this time future artist He was left alone, his mother died, Gustave Aroz took guardianship over him, and he got Paul a job in a stock exchange firm. A decent income and 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 Mette-Sophia Gard, who accompanied the wealthy Danish heiress. The governess's curvaceous figure, determination, laughing face and manner of speaking without deliberate timidity captivated Gauguin. Metta-Sophia Gad was not distinguished by sensuality, did not recognize coquetry, she behaved freely and expressed herself directly, which distinguished her from other young people. This repulsed many men, but on the contrary, it captivated the dreamer Gauguin. In self-confidence, he saw an original character, and the girl’s presence drove away the loneliness that tormented him. Metta seemed to him like a patroness, in whose arms he could feel as calm as a child. The offer of the wealthy Gauguin relieved Mette of the need to think about her 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 have thought that her wealthy, respectable life would be broken by the innocent brush of an artist in the hands of her husband, who on one of winter days will announce to her that from now on she will only engage in painting, and she 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 stock exchange was irrevocably wasted time. Only in creativity, without wasting time on hated responsibilities, could he be himself. Having reached a critical point, having quit the stock exchange, which brought in a good income, Gauguin became convinced that everything was far from so simple. The savings melted away, the paintings did not sell, but the return to work on the stock exchange and the abandonment of the newfound freedom horrified Gauguin.

Uncertainly, gropingly, moving blindly, Gauguin tried to grasp the world of colors and shapes raging within him. Under the influence of Manet, he painted a number of still lifes at this time and created a series of works on the theme of the coast of Brittany. But the pull of civilization forces him to go to Martinique, participate in the construction of the Panama Canal, and recover from swamp fever in the Antilles.

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 united artists into the school of “colored synthetism”, for which characteristic features were simplification and generalization of forms: the contour of the dark line was filled with a spot of color. This method gave the works expressiveness and at the same time decorativeness, making them very bright. It was in this manner that “Jacob Wrestling with the Angel” and “The Cafe in Arles” (1888) were written. This was all significantly different from the play of shadows, the play of light breaking through the foliage, the highlights on the water - all those techniques that are so characteristic of the impressionists.

After the failure of the exhibition of impressionists and "synthetics", Gauguin leaves France and goes to Oceania. The islands of Tahiti and Dominic fully corresponded to his dream of a world devoid of signs European civilization. Numerous works of this period are distinguished by open solar brightness, conveying rich colors Polynesia. Techniques for stylizing static figures on the color plane turn compositions into decorative panels. The desire to live according to the laws primitive man, without the influence of civilization, was terminated by a forced return to France due to poor physical health.

Fatal friendship

Gauguin spends some time in Paris, Brittany, and stays with Van Gogh in Arles, where a tragic incident occurs. Gauguin's enthusiastic admirers in Brittany unwittingly gave the artist the opportunity 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 after some time return to Tahiti.

Looking for heaven on earth

A thatched hut, a remote village and a bright palette in the works, reflecting tropical nature: sea, greenery, sun. The canvases of this time depict Gauguin’s young wife, Tehura, whom her parents willingly gave in marriage at the age of thirteen.

A constant lack of money, health problems, and a serious venereal disease caused by promiscuous relationships with local girls forced Gauguin to return to France again. Having received an inheritance, the artist returned to Tahiti again, then to the island of Hiva Oa, where in May 1903 he died of a heart attack.

Three weeks after Gauguin's death, his property was inventoried and auctioned off 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 purchased at auction by naval officers. Most expensive work“Motherhood” went under the hammer for one hundred and fifty francs, and the appraiser generally showed “Breton Village in the Snow” upside down, giving it the name... “Niagara Falls.”

Post-Imresionist and innovator of synthetism

Along with Cezanne, Seurat and Van Gogh, Gauguin is considered the greatest master post-impressionism, Having absorbed its lessons, he created his own unique artistic language, bringing into history modern painting rejection of traditional naturalism, taking for starting point abstract symbols and figures of nature, emphasizing striking and mysterious color weaves within linear frames.

When writing the article, the following literature was used:
“Illustrated Encyclopedia of World Painting”, compiled by E.V. Ivanova
“Encyclopedia of Impressionism and Post-Impressionism”, compiled by T.G. Petrovets
“The Life of Gauguin”, A. Perruch

Marina Staskevich

The contradictory character of the French post-impressionist artist Paul Gauguin and his unusual fate created a special new reality in his works, where color plays a dominant role. Unlike the Impressionists, who attached significance to shadows, the artist conveyed his thoughts through a restrained composition, a clear outline of figures and colors. Gauguin's maximalism, his rejection of European civilization and restraint, increased interest in the cultures of the islands of South America alien to Europe, the introduction of the new concept of “synthetism” and the desire to find a sense of heaven on earth allowed the artist to take his special place in the art world of the late 19th century.

From civilization to overseas countries

Paul Gauguin was born on June 7, 1848 in Paris. His parents were a French journalist, an adherent of radical republicanism, and a mother of French-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. Paul quickly became tired of the unremarkable life of a provincial town. Adventurous character traits led him to a merchant ship, and then to the navy, in which Paul visited Brazil, Panama, the islands of Oceania, and continued his travels from the Mediterranean to the Arctic Circle until he left the service. By this time, the future artist was left alone, his mother had died. Gustave Aroz took guardianship over him, and he employed Paul in a stock exchange company. A decent income and 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 Mette-Sophia Gard, who accompanied the wealthy Danish heiress. The governess's curvaceous figure, determination, laughing face and manner of speaking without deliberate timidity captivated Gauguin. Metta-Sophia Gad was not distinguished by sensuality, did not recognize coquetry, she behaved freely and expressed herself directly, which distinguished her from other young people. This repulsed many men, but on the contrary, it captivated the dreamer Gauguin. In self-confidence, he saw an original character, and the girl’s presence drove away the loneliness that tormented him. Metta seemed to him like a patroness, in whose arms he could feel as calm as a child. The offer of the wealthy Gauguin relieved Mette of the need to think about her 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 have thought that her wealthy, respectable life would be broken by the innocent brush of an artist in the hands of her husband, who one winter day would announce to her that from now on he would only engage in painting, and she and her children would be forced to return to relatives in Denmark.

From impressionism to synthetism

For Gauguin, painting was the path to liberation, the stock exchange was irretrievably lost time. Only in creativity, without wasting time on hated responsibilities, could he be himself. Having reached a critical point, having quit the stock exchange, which brought in a good income, Gauguin became convinced that everything was far from so simple. The savings melted away, the paintings did not sell, but the return to work on the stock exchange and the abandonment of the newfound freedom horrified Gauguin.

Uncertainly, gropingly, moving blindly, Gauguin tried to grasp the world of colors and shapes raging within him. Under the influence of Manet, he painted a number of still lifes at this time and created a series of works on the theme of the coast of Brittany. But the pull of civilization forces him to go to Martinique, participate in the construction of the Panama Canal, and recover from swamp fever in the Antilles.

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 united artists in the school of “color synthetism,” which was characterized by simplification and generalization of forms: the outline of a dark line was filled with a spot of color. This method gave the works expressiveness and at the same time decorativeness, making them very bright. It was in this manner that “Jacob Wrestling with the Angel” and “The Cafe in Arles” (1888) were written. This was all significantly different from the play of shadows, the play of light breaking through the foliage, the highlights on the water - all those techniques that are so characteristic of the impressionists.

After the failure of the exhibition of impressionists and "synthetics", Gauguin leaves France and goes to Oceania. The islands of Tahiti and Dominic fully corresponded to his dream of a world devoid of signs of European civilization. Numerous works from this period are distinguished by open solar brightness, conveying the rich colors of Polynesia. Techniques for stylizing static figures on a color plane turn compositions into decorative panels. The desire to live according to the laws of primitive man, without the influence of civilization, was stopped by a forced return to France due to poor physical health.

Fatal friendship

Gauguin spends some time in Paris, Brittany, and stays with Van Gogh in Arles, where a tragic incident occurs. Gauguin's enthusiastic admirers in Brittany unwittingly gave the artist the opportunity 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 after some time return to Tahiti.

Looking for heaven on earth

A thatched hut, a remote village and a bright palette in the works, reflecting tropical nature: sea, greenery, sun. The canvases of this time depict Gauguin’s young wife, Tehura, whom her parents willingly gave in marriage at the age of thirteen.

A constant lack of money, health problems, and a serious venereal disease caused by promiscuous relationships with local girls forced Gauguin to return to France again. Having received an inheritance, the artist returned to Tahiti again, then to the island of Hiva Oa, where in May 1903 he died of a heart attack.

Three weeks after Gauguin's death, his property was inventoried and auctioned off 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 purchased at auction by naval officers. The most expensive work, “Motherhood,” went under the hammer for one hundred and fifty francs, and the appraiser generally showed “Breton Village in the Snow” upside down, giving it the name… “Niagara Falls.”

Post-Imresionist 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, introducing into the history of modern painting the rejection of traditional naturalism, taking abstract symbols and figures of nature as a starting point, emphasizing striking and mysterious color weaves.

When writing the article, the following literature was used:
“Illustrated Encyclopedia of World Painting”, compiled by E.V. Ivanova
“Encyclopedia of Impressionism and Post-Impressionism”, compiled by T.G. Petrovets
“The Life of Gauguin”, A. Perruch

Marina Staskevich

Paul Gauguin - famous French artist, graphic artist, sculptor - born in Paris on June 7, 1848. Gauguin is one of the most popular representatives of the post-impressionism movement.

Tahitian women on the beach

Spirit of the Dead doesn't sleep

Since 1855, Gauguin returned to France, where he studied at school, from which he secretly thought of escaping, dreaming of becoming a sailor and plowing sea ​​spaces. Later, starting at the age of 17, he began to sail on ships plying between America and Europe.

Yellow Christ

At the age of 23, Paul Gauguin begins working in a bank, and his career takes off. In the same bank, Paul finds his beloved, whom he soon marries. Since the work brings money, Paul begins to be interested in painting - buying paintings and painting 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 Gauguin's heart, and in 1883 he quit his job at the bank, abandoned his family and completely devoted himself to art. At an exhibition of paintings a couple of years later, twenty works by Paul will be presented, which will be met with positive reviews from critics.

Deity Day

Since the 1880s, Gauguin has been one of the leading and important artists in the field of post-impressionism. Creative impulse, hard work and dedication to art move Gauguin to the top of Olympus. He moves to a village called Brittany, which still preserves its ancient identity, culture, and creativity. In Brittany, Paul finds inspiration that will fuel 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 begins to become interested in symbolism, which leaves its mark on his work. His desire to change places of residence remains unchanged, and in 1888 he returns to Pont-Aven. In the future, Gauguin will visit New York, and live in the south of France with, 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 Fields of Gauguin, but, unfortunately, in addition to the peace of 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 last time in life he moves - this time to the Marquesas Islands, where he dies 2 years later. Before his death, Paul not only painted, he also sculpted and created ceramics.

Vision after the sermon

Woman with mango

Are you jealous?

Devil's Words

Green Christ

Areoi Seed

Shepherds from Tahiti