Tahitian Pastorals
Two Sisters
Gauguin's paintings are now famous, but he did not start his adult life as an artist. He first worked as a sailor for six years and then he became a successful stockbroker in Paris. He started to paint as a hobby after seeing an exhibition of Impressionist paintings. When he was 35 years old, he quit his job, left his wife and five children, and became a full-time painter.
Gauguin developed his unique painting style when he was 40 years old. At that time he met Vincent van Gogh, with whom he shared an enthusiasm for the style of Japanese prints. Three years later, he realized that he didn't like the hectic life in France and decided to travel to the South Pacific island of Tahiti. That's where he created some of his best paintings.
Gauguin was very poor during the last five years of his life, but he continued to paint. His works became important and well-known when they were exhibited in Paris three years after his death, but sadly, this fame came too late for him.
Tahitian Pastorals, Photo courtesy of © The State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg.
Two Sisters, Photo courtesy of © The State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg.
