Paul Gauguin Facts & Worksheets

Paul Gauguin, a French painter, printmaker, and sculptor, aimed to convey “primitive” spiritual and emotional emotions in his works. Born in Paris in 1848, he died in French Polynesia in 1903 after a self-imposed exile in Tahiti. Gauguin collaborated with Vincent van Gogh, and his work, classified as Post-Impressionist, Synthetist, and Symbolist, influenced many avant-garde trends in the early 20th century.

See the fact file below for more information about Paul Gauguin, or you can download our 29-page Paul Gauguin worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

BEGINNINGS

• Diverse influences marked Paul Gauguin’s upbringing: his mother’s Peruvian and French heritage, his father’s journalist work, and his merchant marine travel. 
• After his mother’s passing, Gauguin was taken under the care of industrialist Gustave Arosa, who encouraged his artistic inclinations. 
• Gauguin married Mette Sophie Gad in 1873, and his interest in painting grew, eventually leading to his inclusion in the Salon exhibition in 1876.
• Under the guidance of artists like Pissarro and Cézanne, Gauguin honed his skills and became associated with the Impressionist movement. However, financial troubles prompted him to focus more on painting, leading to his participation in exhibitions and experimentation with ceramics. 
• Seeking a simpler life, he moved to Pont-Aven and later Martinique, where he explored new artistic styles characterized by bold colors and departure from Impressionism. 
• His experiences in Martinique and his Peruvian heritage influenced his adoption of a more “primitive” persona, shaping his identity and artistic perspective.

EARLY MATURITY

• In 1888, Paul Gauguin returned to Pont-Aven to embrace primitive art and foster a more emotional and synthesized approach to painting. 
• He coined “Synthetism” to describe his style, emphasizing the fusion of formal elements with the intended message or feeling.
• Gauguin’s influence extended to young artists in Pont-Aven, encouraging them to prioritize emotion over direct observation and to explore the potential of line and color to evoke specific emotions in viewers. 
• Unlike Impressionists, Gauguin and his contemporaries in the Pont-Aven school employed ornamentation and abstraction in their compositions.
• During a visit to Vincent van Gogh in Arles in 1888, Gauguin engaged in heated debates about the nature of art. 
• Their interactions, marked by artistic divergence and personal conflict, contributed to the development of Post-Impressionism. 
• ‘Gauguin’s work during this period, such as “Old Women of Arles (Mistral),” demonstrated his departure from traditional techniques and his attraction to subjects embodying his “primitive” ideal.
• Gauguin’s departure from Arles was controversial amid the infamous incident involving van Gogh’s ear. Recent research suggests Gauguin may have been responsible for the mutilation, leading to a pact of silence between the two artists.
• Following his tumultuous time in Arles, Gauguin alternated between Brittany and Paris. He found inspiration in Symbolist poetry and sought seclusion in the village of Le Pouldu. 
• There, he delved into themes of religion and societal corruption, exemplified by works like “The Yellow Christ” and “Be in Love and You Will Be Happy.” 
• Gauguin’s growing desire for isolation culminated in his pursuit of a grant to travel to Tahiti.

TAHITI OF PAUL GAUGUIN

• In June 1891, Gauguin made his way to Papeete. He partially took inspiration for his idyllic one-person show at Paul Durand-Ruel’s gallery. It was not well received, and he finally departed from the vision of Tahiti as an unspoiled paradise from Pierre Loti’s 1880 book Le Mariage de Loti. 
• Feeling let down by how much French colonization had tainted Tahiti, he tried to immerse himself in what he thought were the actual elements of the culture. 
• He used Oceanic imagery, depicted serene landscapes and evocative spiritual situations, and utilized Tahitian names like Manao tupapau in 1892 (“The Spirit of the Dead Watching”) and Fatata te miti in 1892 (“Near the Sea”). 
• Gauguin attempted to further distance himself from conventional Western standards by emulating Oceanic customs with his purposefully rough-hewn sculptures and woodcuts from this era. 
• In July 1893, Gauguin returned to France, hoping his new work would finally offer him the success he desperately sought. 
• More than ever, the vocal artist adopted the persona of an exotic outsider and had a well-known relationship with a woman dubbed “Anna the Javanese.” 
• He came up with the idea in 1894 to create a book called Noa Noa that would contain his impressions of Tahiti and his woodcut illustrations. 
• Gauguin flattened his images before the 1890s, sometimes with unsatisfactory results, but his “primitivism” became less forced during that decade. 
• He began to produce more rounded and moulded forms and a more curved line due to the influences of J.-A.-D. Ingres and Pierre Puvis de Chavannes. 
• As a result, Gauguin’s paintings became more lush and naturally poetic as he developed masterfully arranged tonal harmonies. In his most significant Tahitian work, Where Do We Come From? Who Are We? To What Destination Are We Heading?, published in 1897, he attained the perfect articulation of his evolving perspective. 
• The piece is encircled by a dreamy, poetic air that is incredibly potent. It is a massive study of life and death recounted through a sequence of figures, beginning with a baby and ending with a withered older adult. 
• Gauguin moved to the island of Hiva Oa in the Marquesas in September 1901, seeking a more secluded setting as he grew more repulsed by the growing Western influence in the French colony.
• He bought a piece of land there and constructed a house he dubbed “the house of pleasure” with the assistance of his neighbors. 
• The finely carved friezes adorning the house, conceived as a complete work of art, may have been influenced by the Maori artwork he had seen in Auckland, New Zealand. 
• His movement was limited by an advanced case of syphilis by 1902, so he focused his remaining energies on writing and sketching, especially his memoir Avant et après, which was published posthumously in 1923.
• Following an altercation with French officials, he contemplated relocating, this time to Spain; however, his deteriorating health and an ongoing legal dispute precluded any alteration. Alone in his “house of pleasure,” he passed away.

LEGACY

• Gauguin’s legacy encompasses his rejection of modern materialism for a spiritually rich lifestyle and his relentless artistic experimentation. His unique perspective challenges scholars to categorize his works despite associations with various artistic movements. 
• Gauguin’s influence extends to a generation of artists, including the Nabis group and painters like Munch, Matisse, and Picasso, who adopted his use of line, color, and Oceanic iconography. 
• His contributions to 20th-century art span stylistic innovations and a shift from empirical depiction to conceptual representation, shaping the trajectory of modern art.

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE

• Gauguin’s artistic influences ranged from Pissarro to Giotto, Raphael, Ingres, Delacroix, Manet, Degas, and Cézanne. 
• He was also inspired by philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer and poet Stéphane Mallarmé. Gauguin sought to create bold, decorative reliefs by employing innovative techniques like peinture à l’essence and experimental methods in woodcuts. 
• His use of color evolved to achieve a muted effect and non-representational vitality, leading to the end of his relationship with Pissarro. 
• Influenced by Japanese prints and folk art, Gauguin aimed for emotional purity and simplicity in his subjects. 
• He depicted natives in serene, self-contained environments, often incorporating supernatural themes. 
• Gauguin aimed for synesthesia in his art, creating symphonies of color and line to stimulate the imagination rather than directly represent reality. He emphasized capturing the essence of nature and creation over literal depiction.

Paul Gauguin Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Paul Gauguin across 29 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about the Paul Gauguin. Gauguin collaborated with Vincent van Gogh, and his work, classified as Post-Impressionist, Synthetist, and Symbolist, influenced many avant-garde trends in the early 20th century.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

1. Paul Gauguin Facts
2. Define the Words
3. Tropical Treasures
4. Scan and Explore
5. Puzzle to Complete
6. Compare Canvas
7. Explore Life and Art
8. Gauguin’s Journey
9. Vision After the Sermon
10. Artistic Philosophy
11. Your Landscape

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Paul Gauguin?

Paul Gauguin was a French Post-Impressionist artist known for his experimental use of color and form, particularly in his depictions of exotic subjects from his travels to Tahiti and other Pacific islands.

What are some of Paul Gauguin’s most famous paintings?

Gauguin’s most famous works include “Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going?”, “The Yellow Christ,” “Tahitian Women on the Beach,” and “The Vision After the Sermon.”

What influenced Gauguin’s artistic style?

Gauguin was influenced by various artistic movements, including Impressionism and Symbolism. He was also influenced by the art and culture of non-Western civilizations, particularly Polynesian and Javanese art, which he encountered during his travels.

Why did Gauguin leave Europe for Tahiti?

Gauguin left Europe for Tahiti in search of a more primitive and authentic lifestyle, as well as inspiration for his art. He sought to escape what he saw as the artificiality and materialism of Western society and find a more “pure” way of life.

What is Gauguin’s legacy in the art world?

Gauguin is celebrated for his bold use of color, innovative compositions, and exploration of themes related to spirituality, primitivism, and the exotic. He is regarded as a significant figure in the development of modern art and has influenced generations of artists with his distinctive style and approach.

Link/cite this page

If you reference any of the content on this page on your own website, please use the code below to cite this page as the original source.

<a href="https://kidskonnect.com/social-studies/paul-gauguin/">Paul Gauguin Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com</a> - KidsKonnect, May 15, 2024

Link will appear as Paul Gauguin Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, May 15, 2024