This is Gauguin

This Is... #4

by George Roddam, Catherine Ingram (Series Editor), Slawa Harasymowicz (Illustrator)

Paul Gauguin created some of the most advanced art in a brilliant generation of artists – all of whom struggled against the stifling conformity of the late 19th century's artistic mainstream.

He created paintings whose radically simplified lines and colors echoed the unschooled art of the rustic and native cultures he loved. After his famously disastrous stay with Vincent van Gogh in southern France, Gauguin escaped European civilization for the Polynesian islands. Immersing himself in the culture, he produced a series of radiant canvases and powerful sculptures – his last great works.

From his childhood in Peru to his experiences in Tahiti, the story of Gauguin's life is recounted in authoritative text by an expert on the post-Impressionists, coupled with powerful imagery by an award-winning illustrator.

This title is appropriate for ages 14 and up

Genres: Art, Biography

80 pages, Hardcover

First published September 30, 2014

Reviews

[Lloyd Downey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I rather liked the artwork in this slim book. It's a biography of Paul Gauguin ..very readable and beautifully illustrated. Though it is rather abbreviated. Right at the end there is a reference to Meyer de Haan but I don't think this friend of Gauguin's is mentioned any where in the book to this point. The book covers the main points of Gauguin's life: I didn't realise that he spent the first 7 years of his life in Peru and from the age of 17 spent 6 years as a sailor. The author has chosen a judicious selection of his paintings and sculpture to include in the book ..but it is fairly limited. Generally he comes across as his wife described him as he took off for Tahiti as "a selfish monster". One has to question the ethics of someone who can, at the drop of a hat, leave wife and 5 children behind and take off for the south seas...there to take a 13 year old as a mistress and later abandon her with about as much feeling as he exhibited at leaving his wife. So not really "Mr nice guy". And, I must admit, I have never really been a great fan of his paintings or his sculpture. But if you are looking for a good brief biography of an important painter then I would recommend this book.

[LuAnn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good insight into art and artist. The illustrations compliment the text and the artist well. I came away thinking that Gauguin saw what he wanted to see in what would have been considered "primitive societies": the noble savage, and he used the women (and underaged girls!) in his life for his purposes though he had a better attitude towards the "natives" than most colonials.

[Nguyên Huỳnh · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a cool afternoon read. I did not major in art history but I feel like this book, and perhaps all books in this series, could equip me well the next time I go to Musee d'Orsay in understanding the art and the artist.

[Siranush Zakaryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great way to get to know the artist and his artworks. Love this book. Looking forward to read other books by the author.