Paul Gauguin (1848-1903)

French painter

The French painter Eugène Henri Paul Gauguin (1848-1903) was born in Paris on 7 June 1848. His father was a journalist, who moved his family frequently. In his youth, the family emigrated to Peru, but returned to Paris in 1855. Gauguin was educated at boarding schools in Orléans.

Acquaintance with Paul Cézanne

In 1873 Gauguin married Mette Sophie Gad, eventually fathering four children. During this time a friend introduced Paul to drawing and painting. Six years later Gauguin took part of the impressionist's exhibition.
In the summers he visited Pontoise, where he painted side to side with Camille Pissarro. He also made acquaintance with Paul Cézanne.
Although he did not sell many paintings Gauguin resigned his post at the insurance agency Thomereau. Unfortunately the family did not receive support and his marriage quickly disintegrated.

Martinique

Paul Gauguin moved in with his family in Rouen and followed his family to Denmark in 1884. In Copenhagen he had his first exhibition. In the following years Paul Gauguin traveled a lot.
In Brittany, France, he joined a group of artists in Pont-Aven. Later that year he moved to Paris and subsequently to Panama and Martinique.

Vincent van Gogh

Back in France he worked with Vincent van Gogh in 1888. The two developed an intensive relationship, which ended after a dramatic dispute.
Via Paris and Copenhagen Paul Gauguin traveled to Tahiti. In the South Pacific he painted his most important works. Gauguin turned from what he called "naturalism" to "primitivism".