Gauguin [antikvár]

FOREWORDPaul Gauguin, like Van Gogh and Cézanne, was one of the fore-runners of modern painting. Ali three introduced previously unex-pressed emotions into art, developed a new freedom, and entirely changed the concept of the beautiful. After them, painting could not return to what it had been in the nineteenth century without seeming lifeless, insignificant and outdated.Gauguin heightened the expressive value of line, developed the emotional power of colour, and introduced a new concept of space into painting, which differed from classical perspective, thus opening up new avenues to later generations of artists. His contribution is so important that in his time he seemed revolutionary and outraged the sensibilities of his contemporaries. As often happens, it was not until after his death that the value of his works was finally acknow-ledged. The paintings which he had sold for trifling sums during his lifetime subsequently soared in price and today are bought for astro-nomical figures by the largest museums and the richest collectors in the world.Like Van Gogh, whose path crossed Gauguin's at one point, he led a passionate, tormented and at times dramatic existence, a source of fascination to many. But the romantic aspect of his life should not be allowed to overshadow his work. The life of great artists is only of interest to us because of the moment of genius they displayed. Had they left no work for posterity, no matter how romantic their lives, they would long since have been forgottén. The events of Gauguin's