Gauguin's vision of a tropical arcadia in the South Seas has beguiled generations of gallery goers, but a close look at his life and art reveals a complex man in constant search for a primitive paradise that was elusive. His extensive travels and artistic experiments were driven by a strong desire to explore the unknown, and to discover what he saw as the 'savage' aspect of his own nature. Along the way he worked restlessly, experimenting with different styles, mediums and ideas, which found expression not just in visual form but also in words. This book tells the story of this astonishingly original artist, who bent the rules in art and life.