Barbarian: The genius who returns to the primitive

Author: Amur Batu
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-01-01
Features: "The era of visual culture has arrived! The National Publishing House has meticulously crafted the illustrated series 'Painting Master Series,' which has now been launched! The world-renowned painting master's peculiar life story, the elegant writing of the French art history PhD, and the exquisite illustrations inserted in the text will bring you a feast for the eyes. You may know the 'madman' Van Gogh, but you might not know the 'fool' Gauguin. His life was bizarre and strange. He abandoned his lucrative stockbroker career and, on a whim, began to teach himself painting at the age of 35, earning the nickname 'fool' from the French painters of the time. Like his friend the 'madman' Van Gogh, Gauguin's works were not recognized or appreciated by the French art world during his lifetime. It wasn't until half a century after his tragic death that people discovered Gauguin was indeed a pioneer of 20th-century modern art. He was a rogue who refused to stay with his beloved wife and children. He traveled alone to the unspoiled tropical islands of the South Pacific, lived among the indigenous people, and began his painting career, which was marked by uncertainty in meals and mounting debts. Not only that, he cohabited with several indigenous women, had children with them, and engaged in indiscriminate affairs with various prostitutes, contracting syphilis and suffering immensely before attempting suicide. Yet, it was this rogue who, while plagued by illness, exposed the atrocities committed by colonial officials in oppressing the indigenous people, stood up for justice, and provoked the authorities, leading to malicious charges and imprisonment. In the end, he died a tragic death in prison. Perhaps the master's death was not painful. Because, before his death, he left a thought-provoking statement: 'They have defeated me, but they have not conquered me. Those suffering indigenous people smile under the harsh treatment of civilized people. Have they been conquered? Upon reflection, barbarians are stronger than civilized people. Some accuse me of not having the right to call myself a 'barbarian'—they are wrong! I am a barbarian.'"