Gauguin, the archetype of the artist, the traveller, the hypersensitive... is one of the world's most famous and best-loved artists from the early 20th century...
The exhibition presented at Tate Modern in London, explores the role of the myths around the man – Gauguin as storyteller, painting himself as a Christ-like figure or even a demon in his own paintings, religious and mythical symbols in his work, and the manipulation of his own artistic identity.
It features many of his iconic paintings, including those showing daily village life from the artist's colony of Pont-Aven in Brittany, nude bathers and haystacks in the Breton landscape, and decorative works such as the carved wooden door panels around Gauguin's hut in the Marquesas Islands in French Polynesia.
It features many of his iconic paintings, including those showing daily village life from the artist's colony of Pont-Aven in Brittany, nude bathers and haystacks in the Breton landscape, and decorative works such as the carved wooden door panels around Gauguin's hut in the Marquesas Islands in French Polynesia.
Gauguin sought to escape European civilisation in the South Seas. He was also escaping himself. I have a profound respect for his work.
More information on: www.tate.org.uk/modern
