Degas’ Impact on Gauguin

Degas acted as a mentor to the young Paul Gauguin as he made his way into the Impressionists circle in the 1870s.  Degas not only influenced Gauguin’s work but he provided guidance to the young artist. 

Degas was able to persuade Galerie Durand-Ruel to host an exhibition of Gauguin’s work in 1893.  Degas’ support of Gauguin was financial as well.  He purchased nine of Gauguin’s paintings in 1895 when Gauguin organized a sale in order to earn money to finance a trip to Tahiti, if it wasn’t for Degas’ purchase the sale would have been a complete disaster.  Between 1880 through at least 1898 Degas purchased nearly thirty of Gauguin’s works, including paintings, drawings, and woodcuts.  Without the mentorship and patronage of Degas, Gauguin might not have been able to live out his life in the South Seas.