Gauguin: Maker of Myth

Bringing together over 100 works from public and private collections from around the world, the exhibition takes a fresh and compelling look at this master of modern art tracing the artist’s unique approach to storytelling.

A Post-Impressionist and a pioneer of modernism, Gauguin’s powerful and bold images were seen as radical as he distanced himself from the influence of Impressionism. Gauguin’s life has for generations epitomised the idea of the artist as romantic bohemian, looming as large as his art in the public imagination.

This exhibition challenges commonly held assumptions about the artist and his practice. It reveals to a 21st-century audience the complexity and richness of his narrative strategies and explores the myths and fables that were central to his creativity.

Gauguin: Maker of Myth features many of his iconic works including Vision of the Sermon 1888 (National Gallery of Scotland), inspired by Brittany, and Teha’amana has Many Parents 1893 (Art Institute of Chicago), painted during his time of self-imposed exile in Tahiti.

A highlight of the exhibition is a room dedicated to his self portraits such as Self-portrait as Christ in the Garden of Olives 1889 (Norton Museum of Art, Florida) and Self-portrait with Manau tu papau 1893 (Musée d’Orsay, Paris). These works demonstrate Gauguin’s aptitude at role-playing as he adopts different guises of victim, saint, Christ-like martyr and sinner.

Gauguin: Maker of Myth reflects the artist’s remarkable breadth of approach by including examples from every period of his practice. Works in a wide range of media from painting and watercolour to ceramics, carvings and decorated objects will be shown alongside rarely-seen illustrated letters, sketchbooks, memoirs and journalism, revealing intimate insights into the artist’s working practices and thought processes.

For more information and to book tickets, visit Gauguin exhibition, Tate Modern.