The White Horse

1891–1901 · Virkested

Tahiti

1897

News of the Death of His Daughter Aline

In April 1897 Gauguin received news that his beloved daughter Aline had died of pneumonia; the same month he learned that he had to vacate his house, and, taking out a bank loan for a new one, by the end of the year he was on the brink of ruin and despair.

c. 1898

Suicide Attempt

After finishing Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going?, Gauguin attempted suicide by taking arsenic, but the dose proved too large, and a violent fit of vomiting saved his life.

1899

Son born: Emile Gauguin

1899

Birth of a Son by Pahura

In 1899 the artist's Tahitian lover Pahura bore him a son; the painting Women by the Sea (Maternity) is associated with this event.

last years of life

Illnesses of the Final Years

In his last years the artist suffered severely from heart disease, eczema, and the after-effects of arsenic poisoning; the intense pain had to be dulled with morphine. His situation was aggravated by constant conflicts with the administration over his attempts to defend the rights of the native population.