The Book Club Sue Prideaux: Wild Thing, A Life of Paul Gaugin
Oct 16, 2024
Sue Prideaux, a notable biographer known for her compelling portraits of Nietzsche and Munch, discusses her latest work on Paul Gauguin. She shares surprising insights about Gauguin's brief stint as an investment banker and his unconventional marriage. The conversation dives into his anticolonial activism and the stark realities of his Tahitian life, contrasting romantic notions with colonial experiences. Prideaux also reveals the intriguing reason she begins with Gauguin’s teeth, shedding light on the complexities of his legacy and artistic influence.
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The Teeth That Cleared Gauguin
- Gauguin's teeth were found in a well of his native hut 100 years after his death.
- Scientific testing proved he never had syphilis, challenging a common misconception.
Context of Gauguin's Relationships
- Gauguin was accused of paedophilia but acted within the legal and cultural norms of his time.
- Age of consent varied dramatically worldwide, skewing modern perceptions of his conduct.
Link Between Sue Prideaux's Subjects
- Nietzsche, Munch, and Strindberg form an interconnected artistic-philosophical web influencing each other.
- This shared avant-garde spirit ties Sue Prideaux's biographical subjects together.