Paul Gauguin, the renowned French Post-Impressionist artist, died on May 8, 1903, in Atuona, Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia. His death was attributed to a combination of factors, including syphilis, heart failure, and the effects of a stroke. Gauguin had been suffering from poor health for several years, exacerbated by his lifestyle and the harsh living conditions in the Marquesas Islands.
Gauguin’s health had been deteriorating due to his chronic use of alcohol and drugs, as well as the advanced stages of syphilis, which he had contracted earlier in his life. In the months leading up to his death, he experienced severe pain and was often bedridden. Despite his declining health, Gauguin continued to work on his art until the very end.
On the day of his death, Gauguin was found unconscious in his hut by a local resident. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, but it was too late. The official cause of death was listed as a heart attack, but it is widely believed that the cumulative effects of his illnesses and lifestyle choices played a significant role in his demise.
Paul Gauguin’s death marked the end of a tumultuous life, but his artistic legacy continues to influence and inspire artists around the world.