Paul Gauguin

Paul Gauguin (1848-1903) was born in Paris and is known for his exceptional paintings. He is recognized among the leading French post impressionist painters. His innovative use of colors led to the creation of the Synthetist art style in modern art. Gauguin was a prominent personality as a sculpture, painter, ceramist, writer, and print-maker in the Symbolist movement. He was actually a successful capital-market stockbroker in his early days. However, He was a god gifted artist as well, and when he realized this, he started taking proper painting education under impressionist painter Camille Pissarro. In 1879, at the 4th impressionist exhibition, Paul Gauguin with the help of Pissarro got an opportunity to exhibit his various artwork and again in 1882. These exhibitions proved to be a great kick start for Gauguin's painting career. In 1882, the stock market crashed and Gauguin lost his job as a broker. This was the defining moment when he decided to pursue his life as a full-time artist, and his work would go on to become a tremendous influence on modern fine art. The great value of his work was expressed when in may 2011 a Paul Gauguin wooden statue of a Tahitian woman, "Jeune Tahitienne," was sold for a record $11.3 million.