Born: 7 June 1848 · Died: 8 May 1903 · Age at death: 54
How old was Paul Gauguin when he died?
Paul Gauguin died aged 54. He was born on 7 June 1848 and died on 8 May 1903.
French Post-Impressionist painter who left Paris for Tahiti and painted bold, colourful scenes of Polynesian life
Did you know?Earlier in his life, he was a successful stockbroker in Paris and only dedicated himself to painting full-time after the market crashed.
Quick facts
Date of birth7 June 1848
Date of death8 May 1903
Age at death54
Cause of deathSyphilis
NationalityFrench
BirthplaceParis, France
Occupationpainter, sculptor, graphic artist
Editor's Take:
Paul Gauguin turned his back on Paris to paint an imagined paradise. He spent part of his childhood in Peru and worked as a stockbroker before becoming a full-time artist. He used bold, flat colours and simple shapes. A stormy stay with Van Gogh in Arles ended badly. In 1891 he sailed for Tahiti, where he painted his most famous works. He is also a troubling figure because of his relationships with young Tahitian girls. His art helped open the way to modern painting.
Key Milestones
1883: Full-time artist – leaves the stock market
1888: Arles with Van Gogh
1889: The Yellow Christ – painting
1891: Tahiti – first trip
Eugène Henri Paul Gauguin (French:; 7 June 1848 – 8 May 1903) was a French painter, sculptor, printmaker, ceramist, and writer, whose work has been primarily associated with the Post-Impressionist and Symbolist movements. He was also an influential practitioner of wood engraving and woodcuts as art forms.
