Eugène Henri Paul Gauguin was born on June 7 1848, in Paris, France. His mother, Aline Ghazal, was the daughter of the famous writer Flora Tristan. His father Clovis Gauguin was a journalist.
He spent his childhood in Lima, Peru between 1851 and 1855. In 1868 Gauguin enlisted in the French navy. While in the navy, he fought in the Franco-Prussian War. When the French lost, Gauguin return home.
 |
| Paul Gauguin |
After resigned from the Navy in 1871 he found a job on the Paris Stock Exchange with the firm Bertin as stockbroker. He made a considerable fortune and led the life of a well-to-do bourgeois. He met Emile Schuffenecker and took up painting with him in his spare time.
 |
|
Horseman on the beach
|
Gauguin created paintings, drawings and pottery. He experimented with the styles of other artists. Then he used what he learned from their work to create his own style.
In 1886 Gauguin took part in the 18th Impressionist exhibition with one sculpture and eighteen paintings revealing Pissarro’s influence.
Gauguin died on May 8 in 1903 on the island of Hiva Oa.
Paul Gauguin
