Early Life and Artistic Beginnings

Gauguin's early life was marked by travel and instability. His father died during their move to Peru when Paul was just a young boy, and the family lived in Lima for several years before returning to France. These early experiences of displacement and exposure to different cultures would later profoundly influence his artistic vision.

Initially, Gauguin pursued a career as a stockbroker and led a conventional life, marrying Mette-Sophie Gad and fathering five children. However, his passion for art gradually eclipsed his business career. By 1883, he had committed himself fully to painting, leaving his family and financial security behind.

Break with Impressionism

Gauguin began his artistic journey influenced by the Impressionists, and he exhibited with them in the early 1880s. However, he soon grew dissatisfied with their focus on capturing fleeting effects of light and atmosphere. Seeking deeper emotional resonance and more vibrant color, Gauguin developed a style that departed significantly from Impressionism.

In 1886, Gauguin traveled to Pont-Aven in Brittany, where he became a leader of the Pont-Aven School. Here, he developed "Synthetism," a style characterized by the use of bold, flat areas of color and strong outlines. This approach emphasized the artist's subjective vision over naturalistic representation.

Travels and Major Works

Gauguin's desire for new experiences and subjects led him to travel extensively. His journeys to Martinique in 1887 and Arles in 1888, where he worked with Vincent van Gogh, further solidified his unique approach to color and composition.

"Vision After the Sermon" (1888)

One of Gauguin's seminal works, "Vision After the Sermon," illustrates his departure from naturalism. The painting depicts a group of Breton women experiencing a spiritual vision, rendered with vivid reds and stark contrasts. This piece exemplifies his use of color to convey emotion and spirituality, rather than to depict the natural world accurately.

In search of greater artistic freedom and inspiration, Gauguin set sail for Tahiti in 1891. His time in Polynesia marked a pivotal period in his career, resulting in some of his most famous and innovative works.

"The Spirit of the Dead Watching" (1892)

Inspired by Polynesian mythology and his own personal experiences, "The Spirit of the Dead Watching" is a haunting and evocative work. It depicts a young Tahitian girl lying on her stomach, with a spectral figure looming in the background. The painting captures Gauguin's fascination with the mystical and the unknown, as well as his mastery of color and form.