The Mango Trees, Martinique

In the spring of 1887 Paul Gauguin faced such poor financial circumstances that he decided to seek his fortune elsewhere. Together with his friend Charles Laval he travelled to Panama, where he spent two weeks working on the Panama Canal to earn some money. The two artists then moved to Martinique. The island provided the inspiration for a number of colourful paintings. Gauguin cherished a romanticised view of Martinique.