Paul Gauguin was a French Post-Impressionist painter renowned for his bold use of color and expressive profile of Tahitian women and other figures Born in Paris in 1848, he began his career as a successful stockbroker, but soon became bored with the corporate world and set out to become a professional artist. Initially, he followed the current Impressionist style of painting, but quickly developed his own unique style and began to focus on the use of pure color and symbolic forms to express emotion and mood. He also explored the subject of mythology and incorporated elements of traditional Tahitian culture into his work. Gauguin is one of the most important artists of the Post-Impressionist period and he continues to influence the art world today.
Gauguin's art is seen as a bridge between the Impressionist works of the late 19th century and the Expressionist works of the early 20th century. Here are five of his most iconic works of art:
1. The Yellow Christ (1889): This painting depicts the Crucifixion of Christ, with an ominous yellow sky looming above. Some see this painting as a metaphor for his own life, as Gauguin was often overwhelmed by spirituality and sought solace in the idea of the crucifixion.
2. Spirit of the Dead Watching (1892): This painting combines two of Gauguin’s great loves: Tahitian culture and mythology. He depicted a lone Tahitian figure, surrounded by a deep green landscape and a white moon, with an expression of despair on his face.
3. Tahitian Landscape (1892): This painting is an abstraction of the Tahitian landscape, with bold colors and powerful brush strokes. Here, Gauguin painted what he hoped was a true representation of the Tahitian way of life.
4. Self-Portrait with Halo (1894): In this self-portrait, Gauguin placed a halo of light above him and looked directly at the viewer with a slight smile, as if to suggest he was inviting the viewer to share in his spiritual journey.
5. Vision After the Sermon (1888): This painting is one of Gauguin’s most famous works. It depicts a scene in a Breton churchyard and is based on a biblical story about the children of Israel. He painted the scene with a dream-like quality, further emphasizing the surreal and mystical feel of the painting.
Overall, Paul Gauguin was a revolutionary artist who changed the way people thought about color, composition, and symbolism in art. His works of art continue to inspire and influence artists today. As his legacy lives on, his legacy of bold colors, expressive brush strokes, and emotional symbolism will also remain.