Following The Footsteps Of Paul Gaugin: A Spiritual Journey Towards Your Own Private Island In Panama

Across time and space, stories interconnect. We can learn from past events and even more from relevant people who have left a footprint in posterity. 

Since Mundo is closely connected to Panama both in business and personally, we can't overlook a person who, more than a hundred years ago, chose Panama as the first stop in a profound spiritual journey. This person was the French painter Paul Gauguin, who is famous for being a figure in the post-impressionism movement and for his adventures in the tropics. 

What many people don't know is that these adventures started in Panama, so let's see how they turned out. 

Retracing The Footsteps Of Artist Paul Gauguin: Spiritual Journey Through Tropical Islands

When he arrived in Panama, artist Paul Gauguin was 39 years old. To understand what drove him to a faraway land, comprehending the context is key. At the turn of the 20th century, Panama was nothing like we know it is today. The skyscrapers were a hundred years from being built, and the infrastructure was still precarious. It had been boosted, however, by the California gold rush in the middle of the 19th century, since Panama was one of the main routes used by the pioneers. 

Even so, it couldn't be compared with a city like Paris, a European capital with a long history and significant cultural legacy, and that was booming in the era of industrialization. 

Besides, the City of Light was the epicenter of a phenomenon called the Belle Époque. Painters, artists, and performers used to thrive in the city, which soon became prosperous and a playground of the newly born social class: the bourgeoisie.

So why would a young and promising painter choose to leave all this behind and be subject to malaria and mosquitoes in no man's land? That’s surely an interesting question. 

Gauguin: A Spiritual Journey Begins 

It may be hard to put ourselves in the artist's shoes, but this is the nature of every creative soul. The artist embarked on a self-discovery trip to find inspiration in what he considered purer ways of living against the artificial and over conventional Parisian society from which he came. 

Paul Gauguin in Panama

Gauguin disembarked in the city of Colon, on the coast of the Caribbean, and began to work in the construction of the Panama Canal. At the time, it was led by a French company, the Compagnie Universelle du Canal de Panama. While living in the Panama settlement, he heard of an amazing island a few miles off the coast.

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In a letter that he wrote to his wife, he explained that he had heard of this fantastic retreat where he could live away from the bustle of society and be spared from the tiresome work required in the canal. This was, for artist Paul Gauguin, an opportunity to live in an environment where he could live off what the sea and the land offered him. He could finally focus on what mattered the most: his art. This was none other than the island of Taboga.

Why You Need Your Own Experience In A Secluded Island Like French Painter Paul Gauguin

More than a century later, we find ourselves in a completely different world. Cities have grown, society has evolved, and so have our concepts of life, work, and inspiration. Mundo invites you to retrace the journey of artist Paul Gauguin through the tropical islands that sparked his creative mind.

We present a unique opportunity, of which we are the only promoters at the moment: this is a 100% private island (with property title) in the heart of the Caribbean.

Picture what Taboga was like in the 1880s, and now picture the exact opposite. The island is in the heart of one of the country's most touristic areas, with advanced infrastructure and plenty of tourist activities of all kinds. Luxury hotels, private retreats, escapades on pristine beaches, and trendy pubs are part of everyday routine.

Follow The Steps Of Paul Gauguin In Panama And Enjoy Life Away From Society’s Conventions

Artists are a little bit extreme, but luckily, we don’t have to be: we can learn how to find some balance. In our view, this is the perfect option.

The island for sale is absolutely untamed. Its 84 acres of lush vegetation at the feet of transparent waters are at your disposal. Thus, you can live the life that Gauguin was looking for in his short visit to Panama. 

However, you don't have to dig from 5:30 in the morning to 6:00 PM at the canal construction site, and you don’t have to be eaten up by mosquitoes. You will be a short distance away from civilization whenever you need to dine in a trendy restaurant or have drinks on the deck of a pub at sunset.

Then you can go back to your private island, where you can build whatever you wish, from a rustic cottage to a mega luxurious mansion.

Naturally, you can also choose to exploit the location and develop infrastructure to benefit from the tourism industry. It's 100% up to you, and that's the beauty of it. 

Paul Gauguin In Panama: Did He Find What He Was Looking For?

Artist Paul Gauguin didn't find what he was looking for in Panama, or at least he thought he didn't. After spending three months in Taboga, he continued his trip to Martinique and eventually Tahiti.

In those islands, he may have painted some of his best and most famous works like “Where Are We Going” or “Arearea”, but Paul Gauguin in Panama definitely found the sparkle that inspired him to keep going. 

The vivid colors of his “Tahitian women” and the bold depictions of the South Pacific paradises—the yellow sand, the ocean and rivers, the flowers, the leaves and fruits— carry with them a hint of Panama’s spirit and its endearing Taboga. 

Disclaimer: this article doesn't constitute investment advice, and the characteristics described here may not be 100% accurate. For accurate information about the island and its surroundings, consult with certified professionals. 

Experience The Most Primordial Side Of Life Like Artist Paul Gauguin In Panama

Today, you have a chance to live your special adventure in the tropics with a close connection to nature. Your experience can be even better than Gauguin’s because you can do it on your own private island.

Like the French painter Paul Gauguin, we all need an experience that helps us go beyond what society expects from us, and this investment may very well provide one. 

At Mundo, we offer this as well as other opportunities that include apartments in Panama City and its suburbs, the opening of bank accounts and companies, the establishment of trust, and family office strategies. Write to us and get to know our team, who will work with you throughout the process.

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