Bio: A sailor in the Franco-Prussian War, Gauguin later studied art and visited the Louvre with Claude-Enmile Shuffenecker. In 1873 he married a Danish governess, Mette Sophie Gad. In 1874 he met withPissarro and other impressionists. In 1876 he exhibited at The Salon for the first time.
Gauguin was a pioneer of modernism with a strong instinct for colour. In 1891 he took a ship to Tahiti. There, Gauguin discovered primitive art, with its flat forms and the violent colors belonging to an untamed nature.
Despite being plagued by illness, eye disease and financial hardship, Gauguin remained productive and created numerous masterpieces. His health was ruined by alcohol and syphilis and in 1889 he attempted suicide.