Père Paillard

1891–1901 · Workplace

Tahiti

February 1900

Editor of the Newspaper Les Guêpes

In February 1900 Gauguin became editor of the local newspaper Les Guêpes, receiving a salary for it, and remained in the post until his departure from Tahiti in September 1901; the paper was known for its vicious attacks on the governor and officialdom.

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.

16 September 1901

Move to Hiva Oa, the House of Pleasure

On 16 September 1901 Gauguin arrived at Atuona on the island of Hiva Oa (Marquesas Islands), where he bought a plot from the Catholic mission and built a two-story house he named the Maison du Jouir ("House of Pleasure"). Here, despite illness and poverty, he worked at full strength — painting landscapes, writing stories, and engaging in journalism.

27 March 1903

Sentence: Fine and Three Months in Prison

After Gauguin's campaign against the gendarmes and his accusations of corruption, the gendarme Claverie sued him for libel: on 27 March 1903 the local magistrate sentenced the artist to a fine of 500 francs and three months in prison. Gauguin appealed to Papeete, but the imprisonment was never carried out — he died shortly afterwards.

8 May 1903

Died