Gauguin: The Full Story

Gauguin: The Full Story is a comprehensive exploration of the life and artistic career of the renowned French Post-Impressionist artist, Paul Gauguin. Initially released in 2003 and later made available through Amazon Addon, this documentary-style program provides an exceptional look into Gauguin's unconventional life, his ground-breaking artwork, and the rich legacy he left behind.

The show begins with an examination of Gauguin's early life. Born in Paris in 1848, Gauguin was a descendent of Spanish nobility on his mother's side and a middle-class market merchant family on his father's. These circumstances made for an intriguing blend of cultural influences that likely informed his later artistic choices. It further illustrates the backdrop of Gauguin's childhood and the events that pushed him towards leading a dual life as a Sunday painter and successful stockbroker.

Subsequent episodes delve into Gauguin's mid-career crisis, where he abandoned the conventional path and his family to follow a spiritual and artistic journey that ultimately led him to Tahiti and Marquesas Island in French Polynesia. Here, he absorbed, respected, and incorporated the culture, color, and aesthetic into his unique artistic style. Gauguin's paintings from this era remain a cornerstone of his contribution to the world of art, characterized by daring choices of color, symbolic imagery, and his particular depiction of native women in natural settings.

Gauguin: The Full Story provides a detailed exploration of the processes, influences, and methodologies that drove Gauguin's work. The program delves into Gauguin's fascination with spirituality, the influence of indigenous cultures, and his rejection of 'civilized' European standards, focusing on how these factors shaped his distinctive style of painting. The show also elaborates on Gauguin's influence on the Symbolist movement and his distinctive use of color, which set him apart from his contemporaries and wreaked havoc in the art world.

Displaying various unpublished letters, journals, and artworks in combination with interviews and commentary by renowned art historians, this show provides an invaluable context to the life and works of the artist. Gauguin's own writings provide first-hand insight into his vision, personality, and the trials he faced due to his audacious lifestyle choices. The series goes a great length to accurately portray the conflict Gauguin faced in his lifetime, balancing his passion for art with societal norms and expectations.

Furthermore, the program covers Gauguin's tumultuous relationship with friend and fellow artist, Vincent Van Gogh. It details the brief, intense period they spent together in the 'Yellow House' in Arles, resulting in both artistic innovation and personal turmoil. This chapter in their lives is expertly portrayed, leaving viewers with a profound appreciation for the liberties they pursued as artists and the toll it took on their personal lives.

Gauguin's later years, marked by illness, isolation, and poverty, are also explored against the richness and depth of artistic expression he achieved during this period. Despite his failing health and financial hardship, Gauguin continued to create works that transcended conventional artistic barriers right until the end, as evidenced in his dramatic works from the Marquesas Islands.

The show boasts a balanced narrative that does not shy away from Gauguin's flaws. It addresses the controversial aspects of Gauguin's life and dealings with local Tahitians, as well as the debate around his supposed egotism and cultural appropriation. It paints an honest picture of Gauguin—the man who was profoundly flawed yet possessed an undeniable genius that continues to influence the world of art.

Overall, Gauguin: The Full Story offers an immersive and insightful look into the untraditional life and groundbreaking artwork of a pioneering artist. Narrated with careful consideration and a unique perspective, it presents a well-rounded view of Paul Gauguin's endeavors. Both pity and admiration color our understanding of his persona, ultimately humanizing him beyond his art and reputation. For anyone interested in art history, especially fans of post-impressionistic and symbolic works, this series is a captivating viewing experience that delivers a masterfully crafted blend of biography and art commentary.